Harrington: The biggest thing in my career to date

IT wasn't just beating Tiger Woods but so many other world class players in the Target World Challenge on Sunday that gave Padraig Harrington an extra glow as he left California last night and headed to Mexico where he will partner Paul McGinley in the World Cup starting at Puerto Vallarta on Thursday.

Harrington delighted all of Ireland, and indeed Europe, with the manner in which he held off a typical final day challenge from Woods at Thousand Oaks and helped himself to a million dollar cheque, the biggest of his career to date. More than money, though, was at stake, an awful lot more.

"I'm still learning how to cope at this level and to come out on top in such company is a huge confidence booster," he said.

"What it means is more confidence full stop. Very definitely so. I beat Tiger over 36 holes but it's not just him but also Mickelson, Love, Toms, Singh and so many others.

This represents the biggest thing that has happened in my career to date. Winning my first professional tournament in Spain was the biggest at that time, likewise the World Cup when Paul and I won at Kiawah in 1997.

"The funny thing about this one is that you don't get any world ranking points, no order of merit points, but I'm counting it as a win in the US.

"It has also capped what was a good year for me in America, including top 10 finishes in the Masters and the Open. It means more and more

people know of me and hopefully

respect me a little more.

"Furthermore, I am feeling more and more comfortable over there. I know the players and get on with them. And I'm relaxed now, whereas when I went over there first it was a lot different.

"The crowd were fine throughout the week. Naturally enough, they were rooting for the guy coming from behind because they wanted an exciting finish. I mentioned that at the prize giving and have no problem with it. As I've said before many times, there are always Irish people there wherever we go and they made their presence felt as well."

Harrington is sure to be under

increasing pressure to play more

tournaments in the States as his career evolves. Given his new feeling of

comfort over there, it won't be a

problem should he include a few more of their tournaments in his schedule. He will certainly be back for several events in late February and throughout March in the build-up to the Masters in the second week of April.

They include the Accenture World Match Play, the Players Championship and the Bell South Classic and perhaps one or two others. There is little likelihood he will ever settle in America.

His house in south county Dublin is nearing completion and he is very happy playing the European Tour while also pursuing his aim to become 'a global player'.