Harrington keen to conquer US Tour

Padraig Harrington is hoping to make his mark on the American tour next year as he spends more time across the Atlantic.

The Dubliner claimed second place in the Target World Challenge in California last night, trailing Tiger Woods by two shots after both closed with five-under-par 66s.

“I’m going to come over and play more – March, April, May, June – playing six or seven more events than I did last year in the same period,” Harrington told Sky Sports.

“I felt I wasn’t game-sharp last year, so I’ll play more early on in the year and see how I do at the end of the year.”

Woods, who won his first strokeplay event of the season with an eight-shot victory in the Dunlop Phoenix tournament in Japan last month, is clearly delighted to have hit top form once again.

“I was very comfortable with my swing, it was exciting down the stretch,” said the former world number one.

“Every shot I wanted to hit I hit, I just didn’t make any putts!”

Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie – who led the field by two shots heading into the final round – could only manage a level-par 71 to finish one behind Harrington and claim a share of third spot along with Jay Haas, who shot a 69.

“I felt I needed to shoot three or four under par on the front nine with Monty and the others behind us,” added Woods.

“I didn’t think Harrington would be five under on the front nine, but I felt I had to keep pace and I did that.”