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Harrington recharged for playoffs

22/08/2007

Padraig Harrington believes the short break he has taken away from the golf course will help his chances of success as the FedEx Cup approaches.

The end-of-season trophy encompasses four events over the next month which sees the field of participants whittled down from 144 players at the Barclays Classic to just 30 by the start of the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Having won the Open Championship at Carnoustie earlier this summer the Irishman felt he needed the break to perform at his peak as the US season comes to its finale.

"It is the longest break I have ever taken in season, and probably the longest break I have ever taken without hitting a golf ball," said Harrington.

"I needed it. So I am hoping that I am going to be reasonably fresh this week and for the next three weeks."

Tiger Woods has chosen to sit out the opening tournament of the series, though he has the advantage of leading the series thanks to his two World Golf Championship wins coupled with his US PGA Championship victory.

Harrington says Woods is always a rival he pays close attention to and his absence in New York this week will be felt by the rest of the field, whose chances of attaining a victory increase without him.

The world number six said: "Of all of the people that are in a golf tournament, when I finish my round, I will look to see what Tiger Woods has shot.

"He does have that presence in a golf tournament that everybody worries about what Tiger Woods is doing."

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