'I still have a pure love for the game': Pádraig Harrington tees up for 500th European Tour event

"I couldn’t have dreamt of the career that I’ve had," said Harrington 

It's 31 years since Pádraig Harrington first played on the European Tour. Pic: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Pádraig Harrington will make his 500th start on the DP World Tour this week when he gets under way at the Qatar Masters. The Dubliner will play in a group featuring English duo Matt Wallace and Andy Sullivan.

Harrington, whose debut on the tour was at the K Club for the 1995 Smurfit European Open, is the 50th player to reach 500 events. His 2010 Ryder Cup teammate Ross Fisher was the most recent addition to the club a fortnight ago.

Harrington has won 15 of his professional titles on the European Tour. His first came at the 1996 Spanish Open during his rookie season, and his most recent at the 2016 Portugal Masters. He has managed 129 top 10 finishes, 27 runner-up finishes, and has placed third 11 times. In all, he has won €28.4m from European Tour events. 

"500 appearances isn’t something you envisage or plan for but it’s nice to get there," said the three-time major winner.

"I’ve probably played close to 800 tournaments in my 30-year professional career. I started a bit later than most people because I didn’t turn pro until I was 24. I’m happy to be out here playing on the DP World Tour and I’m still enjoying it.

"I couldn’t have dreamt of the career that I’ve had. I’m quite an optimist and that’s what I love about golf: it always gives you that hope that you’re going to find the secret and I’m still doing that today.

"I still have a pure love for the game. I’m fascinated by it, I enjoy it, I love coaching and thinking about the game. 20 years ago we pretended we weren’t golf nerds but I’m as big a golf nerd as you can get. I’m here now to try and be competitive and I know the only way I can do that is to enjoy it."

This week will be Harrington's first time playing at Doha Golf Club since 2003.

"It’s nice to come back to a venue you haven’t been for a long time to see the difference and what a great golf course it is," he said.

"It’s in phenomenal condition and it’s a joy to be back. It’s amazing to see how much the course has changed and they’re putting back tees on nearly every hole which kind of suits it because the rough is heavy, the greens are firm and it’s a nice challenge."