Harrington: Double Open champion

Obviously I want to defend, but I think it would be a more interesting story if one of the other guys comes through and wins this weekend. I might be able to say I kicked the ball off, I got it rolling with my win last year.

Padraig Harrington
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Defending champion Padraig Harrington claims he would be perfectly happy if a fellow Irishman takes the Irish Open title from him this week.

The Dubliner became the first Irishman for 25 years to win his national Open at Adare Manor last year and returns this year as the Open champion as well.

With four Irish winners on the European Tour already this year - Graeme McDowell, Damien McGrane, Darren Clarke and Peter Lawrie - Harrington is hoping a fellow countryman will follow him into the winner's enclosure.

"We have had a couple of other winners on the Challenge Tour as well so there has been plenty of good news for Irish golf," Harrington told Sky Sports News.

"It would be interesting to seee if there is another Irish winner this week after me winning last year after 25 years.

"Obviously I want to defend, but I think it would be a more interesting story if one of the other guys comes through and wins this weekend. I might be able to say I kicked the ball off, I got it rolling with my win last year."

Harrington also feels a noisy Irish crowd will help the home challenge.

"You do feel it," he added. "It does keep you on a high. You also feel the disappointment if you hit a bad shot too!

"But no, it is great to have that support, especially when things are going well. It carries you along on waves of energy.

"I am always going to be trying and working hard. It is not a question of helping you when you need to dig deep. I will be fighting away as it is. But certainly when things are going well you are carried along on the crest of a wave."