Abu Dhabi Championship: Paddy power

Tiger Woods aside, most professional golfers would find adjusting to the weight of expectation after winning two consecutive majors a daunting task. However, Padraig Harrington seems to be following in the footsteps of the currently injured world number one.

If anything, the world number three says his sensational wins at last year's Open and PGA Championships have helped him become "more relaxed".

On the eve of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, which tees off at Abu Dhabi Golf Club today, Harrington's demeanour did not betray his claim. "Obviously you're more confident and more relaxed having done it before," said the calm looking Irishman yesterday.

"I think the big advantage of having gone out and won a major, and then to win two in a year or three in total is the fact that you can believe and trust in what you're doing – that is bringing in the results," he added.

The $2 million Abu Dhabi event marks Harrington's first stop on the European Tour's Race to Dubai, and he was clear on how he would like to begin his campaign. "Anytime you come to an event, you really do want to win it, and you're here to win it. The interesting thing with Abu Dhabi is it is early in the year and there's a lot happening in terms of your game. Because of that, as much as you feel like you're ready, I would say I'm more hopeful than expectant," he said.

However, Harrington remained coy when asked if a repeat of 2008 is on top of his agenda going into the new season. "Obviously last year was such a good year that it would be hard to set goals based on that. So I'm trying to focus on the process and just improve my game. And I do believe I'll be a better player this year."

As the golfing world eagerly awaits November's Dubai World Championship, Harrington was keen to play down the hype surrounding the sport's richest prize. "Not having played it and experienced it yet, I can't fully tell you what it's going to be like. I will tell you that as regards to it [becoming as big as] a major, it will develop and evolve over time.

"The four majors that are there have evolved, some of them over 100 years, to become what they are. It takes tradition and heritage to get that," said Harrington.