Harrington ready to turn up the heat

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington is hoping for a second ego boost with victory in this week’s Maybank Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.

Harrington has an excellent record in Asia, winning the BMW Asian Open in 2003 and the UBS Hong Kong Open the following year.

The 34-year-old has twice gone close to winning the Malaysian Open as well, finishing second in 2000 and 2001, and feels the conditions will suit him perfectly again.

“When you like a venue you tend to play well there,” the Ryder Cup star said. “The Asian golf courses in general do suit me.

“I like grainy greens, I play well in the heat and because there is not much run you have to hit the ball in the air a long way and that suits me.

“I see an advantage out here. Some of the Europeans struggle on the grainy greens but if anything I find them easier to read.

“Obviously it is tough coming out here and playing the Asian players in their own backyard, as they are obviously very familiar with the heat and the conditions, but I do feel confident out here.”

However, Harrington is realistic about his chances after a nine-week break from the game, his last competitive appearance coming at the HSBC Champions tournament in mid-November.

“The first couple of rounds are very important for me because I am a bit rusty,” added Harrington.

“If I do struggle a bit it is going to be tough. The key is to not necessarily make a quick start, but not to make a slow start.

“I would be quite happy to work my way into the tournament and be there of thereabouts with a few holes to go and take my chances from there.

“I do like Kuala Lumpur and I feel very comfortable here. To come out here and be looked after so well and called into a press conference at your first event of the year, it is good for your ego.

“Hopefully I can be up there this week.”

Another man hoping for the same is Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, who is aiming to create a slice of golfing history by becoming the first Asian player to win the same European Tour event for three consecutive years.

If successful, he would joint a select band of five golfers – Ian Woosnam (Monte Carlo Open, 1990-92), Nick Faldo (Irish Open, 1991-93), Colin Montgomerie (PGA Championship, 1998-2000), Tiger Woods (WGC-NEC Invitational, 1999-01) and Ernie Els (Heineken Classic, 2002-04) – to achieve the feat.

“I came here before the new year to practice and the course was playing easy. It was wide open,” the former paratrooper said.

“But when I came here on Monday, it looked different. The rough was very thick and I think it’ll be very challenging, especially if you miss the fairway. The rough will kill you. The greens are soft this week because of the rain.

“I will try my best to win again, for the Asian Tour. I love my game now, it’s getting better and better.”