I can win everywhere, says Harrington ahead of Ras Al Khaimah Championship

Three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington remains confident in his ability to win "everywhere" as he prepares for his fourth consecutive appearance at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship at Al Hamra Golf Club.

With 21 titles across the PGA and DP World Tours, including back-to-back Open Championship victories and a PGA Championship triumph, Harrington’s résumé also boasts Ryder Cup legend status and induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Many in his position might have retired to a quieter life, focusing solely on senior-level competitions.

But Harrington is no ordinary golfer. Beginning his 29th year on Tour last week, the Irishman’s renewed drive and passion for the game continue to keep him competitive in the sport he loves to discuss.

“I’ve been out here a long time, probably burnt out after 20 years, but I’ve found a new lease of life now,” Harrington told Gulf News.

“I'm a different person. I don't try as hard, I'm a bit more relaxed. As a young man, you put all the effort in — you're in the gym, you're eating right, and the diet is perfect.

“I didn’t eat burgers or chips for years. I didn't eat red meat at night. No alcohol, no coffee, no caffeine; all that's out of the window now. I just enjoy myself out here, and I'm a lot more relaxed as a person.

“Interestingly, as I play better, the stress comes back, but in general, I’m more relaxed.”

Since turning 50, Harrington has thrived on the PGA Champions Tour, collecting nine titles in just over two years. Yet the 53-year-old remains an active presence on the DP World Tour, demonstrating his enduring competitiveness.

Last season, Harrington made eight appearances on golf’s global circuit, and this week marks the second of three consecutive starts in the Middle East. His journey will conclude next week with a return to Bahrain, where he last competed 13 years ago.

Harrington’s ultimate goal? To become the oldest winner in DP World Tour history. The current record is held by Spain’s Miguel Ángel Jiménez, who triumphed at the 2014 Open de España at 50 years and 133 days old.

This week’s Ras Al Khaimah Championship at Al Hamra Golf Club presents Harrington with another chance to rewrite the history books. At a venue where he believes he can contend, the Irishman is poised to chase yet another milestone.

“I think I can win everywhere,” he says.

“My game is really good, really solid. I just have to play a few more with the regular guys, get a little bit more comfortable in doing that.

“You don't ever want to go into a tournament where you feel like you need to play your best. If you feel like you can win with your B game, your A game turns up. If you feel like you need your A game, your B game turns up.

“I have to believe it and be a bit more comfortable and relaxed in my game for the best to come out. Physically, I'm capable of doing it.”

While Harrington believes he has the game to contend at the top of the leaderboard by Sunday afternoon, the two-time Senior Major champion hasn’t always been a fan of the Peter Harradine-designed Al Hamra course.

Ahead of the 2023 tournament, Harrington described the fairways as the narrowest he had ever encountered. After his second round, he echoed his frustrations on X (formerly Twitter), posting:

“As I said in my preview, the narrowest fairways I’ve ever seen, doglegs, a few slopes, heavy rough, and firm. At least it’s not blowing. Eventually, you give up trying to hit them and just lash away.”

Harrington’s critique was not without merit. Before the cut was made, only two players—Jack Senior and Grant Forrest—managed to hit even half of the 28 fairways in play. No one hit more.

This year, however, players can look forward to a “nicer way” of playing the game.

"It's in magnificent condition,” he says.

“I've been giving them advice over the last couple of years, and they have taken it. It's a beautiful layout, a beautiful golf course now.

"It's amazing what changing a few cut lines can do. Certain holes are significantly harder, while a few holes are a little easier with the nice cuts. But it's just a nicer way of playing golf.

“The more fairway you have out there around the greens, the better it is, and the better the winner will be, as there's less luck coming into it. It's a really maturing course."