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Padraig Harrington hoping rest will help

Open champion Padraig Harrington said on Tuesday he was worn out after his Carnoustie triumph and had set down his clubs in the hope of revitalizing himself for the FedExCup playoffs.

"I've had eight days off," the 35-year-old Irishman told reporters at this week's Barclays Classic at Westchester Country Club, which on Thursday launches a four-week run ending in the Tour Championship.

"It's the longest break I've ever taken in season, and probably the longest break I've ever taken without hitting a golf ball. I needed it.

"So I'm hoping that I'm going to be reasonably fresh this week and for the next three weeks."

Harrington claimed his first major title at last month's Open championship in a playoff against Sergio Garcia but was unable to follow up on his success at the U.S. PGA Championship this month in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

After opening with a one-under-par 69 he fell back at steamy Southern Hills, posting a final-round 74 to finish tied for 42nd in the last major of the season.

Harrington said the commotion at home following his British Open victory had taken a toll.

"Going home the following week, it was manic. There was so much happening, so much to do. It was very exciting. It was all go," the Dubliner said.

"I could see especially in Oklahoma where there was a definite falloff with my concentration and my focus, I could see I was starting to lag a little bit. I was just starting to tire.

"I definitely needed a rest after the PGA, and I'm hoping that the swing is the same and I can just stay sharper mentally."

One hundred forty-four players qualified through a points system for the first season-ending U.S. Tour playoff series.

The top-flight field will be trimmed to 120 players for next week's Deutsche Bank Classic in Boston, and 70 players will compete in the BMW Championship in Chicago. The field for the Tour Championship in Atlanta will whittled down to 30.

Harrington is optimistic about getting off to a good start, having won at Westchester once along with a runner-up finish.

"Golfers play well at certain courses," he said about playing the traditional, parkland course. "It's horses for courses."

August 22, 2007