Padraig Harrington tees off in the $1.5million BMW Asian Open tomorrow hoping to get a jump-start in his quest to become Europe's number one player.
The Irish Ryder Cup star finished runner-up for the second straight year to South African Retief Goosen on the European Tour when the season ended two weeks ago.
As the BMW Asian Open is the first counting event towards the 2002/2003 European Order of Merit, Harrington could steal an early march on his rivals at the Ta Shee Golf and Country Club.
The event is also the third last leg on the Asian PGA-run Davidoff Tour.
"I've had a solid year and I'm happy that I've played nicely and feel I can improve my game," said the world number eight. "I learned a lot of good stuff and played pretty solid in all the Majors.
"I featured in the skins game in Singapore on Sunday and finished second again, as usual (behind Goosen). My game is not quite there, I just need to do a bit of things but it'll be okay.
Harrington, who has won five times in Europe with a string of second place finishes, displayed his Major credentials by finishing joint fifth in the US Masters and British Open, tied eighth in the US Open and equal 11th at the US PGA Championship this year.
After featuring in Europe's winning side against the United States in the Ryder Cup in September, the Irishman went on to claim his first title of the year at the Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland the following week.
"I was in contention at some stage in the first three Majors and I was happy with that form. It's very promising," he said.
His main challenge in Taiwan could come from the in-form Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, who finished second behind Colin Montgomerie at last weeks TCL Classic in China after a thrilling back nine duel.
Other big names in Taiwan include defending champion Jarmo Sandelin, former US Masters winners Jose Maria Olazabal and Ian Woosnam, Paul McGinley, who holed the winning putt in the Ryder Cup, Europe's captain Sam Torrance and American John Daly.
AFP