Harrington takes time out

IF IT’S a case of onward and upward for Rory McIlroy, who has risen to a career high 35th in the latest official world rankings, it’s a case of steady as it goes for world number three Pádraig Harrington who has decided to stay away from tournament play for another fortnight before embarking on a schedule of events aimed at peaking for the US Masters in April.

“Everything at the moment is about building up for the Masters,” conceded the Dubliner, who consolidated his position at number three in the world with a tied-fifth finish in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

While the in-form McIlroy heads a six-strong contingent of Irish players in the field for this week’s Qatar Masters, Harrington won’t reappear on tour until next month’s Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines.

Harrington – winner of the last two majors of 2008, the British Open and the US PGA – will be seeking to become just the third player in history (following Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods) to win a third consecutive major when he tees up at Augusta National. And, to that end, he has mapped out a schedule that will see him play exclusively in the US ahead of that quest for the third leg of the so-called “Paddy Slam”.

The Buick Invitational will be followed by appearances in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the LA Open, with the likelihood of making it four weeks in a row at the Accenture Matchplay although he has yet to commit to that. Then, a short break will be followed by a build-up that takes in the Bay Hill Invitational and the Houston Open before the Masters.

As starts to the year go, Harrington‘s finish in Abu Dhabi was a positive. “I’d no idea what my game would be like coming out . . . you want to play and perform. I’m anxious before every event. I don’t think I’ve ever teed it up on a Thursday not a little bit concerned about the cut.

“I’m worried coming out of a winter break that I’m just not competitive. Bear in mind that that’s what makes my game, is being competitive, being sharp. All of the things you find you lose when you get a bit rusty during the winter.

“I’m not someone like Monty who can go home for a couple of weeks and not touch the golf clubs. I need to keep on top of things, and you’re never quite sure when you’re coming out. But I’m happy with where I stand. Two more weeks of practice, and then hopefully I’ll be a little bit more comfortable and getting into the flow of things,” said Harrington.

Over the next two weeks, Harrington envisages ironing out a “few kinks” in his game before rejoining the circuit. “I’m actually quite happy where I’m at and need to work on a few things. You only find these things out when you’re out on the golf course.

“It doesn’t matter how many shots you hit on the range or how many friendly games of golf you play (over the winter), you need to play competitive golf to establish where your game lies.”

There’s no break, though, for McIlroy who has moved a spot ahead of Graeme McDowell in the world rankings: 35th to 36th. McIlroy is joined by Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Damien McGrane, Peter Lawrie and Gary Murphy in the field for the Qatar Masters where Adam Scott – a two-time winner of the tournament and runner-up to Zach Johnson in the Sony Open in Hawaii – is the defending champion.

Clarke moved up just two places (from 73rd to 71st) in the world rankings after his runner-up finish to Retief Goosen in the Africa Open on the Sunshine Tour on Sunday and needs some further improvement if he is to make the field for the Accenture matchplay in February (which is limited to the top 64 players available off the world rankings).

Like Clarke, Michael Hoey also finished runner-up in the Africa Open. However, Hoey doesn‘t get into the field for either Qatar or next week‘s Dubai Desert Classic and, so, has decided to return home for a short break in Belfast before returning to the South African circuit.

Incidentally, McDowell – opting for a gentle start to the new season, which will see him play in all four majors – won’t be making his debut appearance of the year until next week’s Dubai Classic.