Harrington: Special achievement

To have two majors is very special and I think what I take most from it was going out on the last group and performing when I needed to.

Padraig Harrington
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Open champion Padraig Harrington has labelled his second major triumph "more satisfying and more rewarding" after becoming the first European in over a century to win back-to-back major titles.

His four-shot victory at Royal Birkdale saw the Irishman climb 11 places in the world rankings and guarantees his place in Nick Faldo's Ryder Cup team to face Team USA in September.

Speaking the morning after the night before, Harrington ranked his latest victory above his more dramatic success in 2007 and believes the win was a more complete achievement due to the fact he was playing in the final group.

"It did start to sink in during the night last night and I think when you win it for the first time it's a real high, slightly unexpected and very exciting," he told Sky Sports News.

"Next time round it was more of a determined effort, more satisfying and in many ways more rewarding - to have done it back-to-back is very special.

"To have two majors is very special and I think what I take most from it was going out on the last group and performing when I needed to.

Fear factor

"Playing the golf in the final round of a major when it's put up to you is a nice feeling and a confidence booster."

Harrington was a major doubt heading into the tournament after sustaining a nagging wrist injury during a training session.

The Irishman revealed the fear of not only being unable to play, but the fear of being unable to rediscover his touch, is the factor which provides the biggest motivation for him to compete for major titles.

"Fear has always been a motivator in my golf and that's something I've spent a lot of time with (coach) Bob (Torrance) talking about," the Dubliner added.

"It can be quite a big emotion to use to push you on. This is my 12th year and certainly for eight, nine years I really was very anxious every time I took my winter break that I would come out and it would still be there.

"My results are always good at the start of the year because I am anxious to get back out there and prove myself again."

With his Ryder Cup place now assured, Harrington admits he is now looking forward to sitting back and relaxing as his fellow European players sweat it out over the next six weeks, in the hope of securing a place in Faldo's team for the Valhalla showdown.

Tough process

"I was eating my porridge this morning and I had the computer on checking who has done what in the Ryder Cup standings and it was great to know that I'm in," he said.

"The Ryder Cup is very entertaining when you know you are in the team - when you're not in the team it's a tough process.

"Now that I'm there I can enjoy the next month and a half and see the guys play their hearts out to try and make the team."

A father-son like relationship with coach Torrance has been pivotal in Harrington's recent success, and the new world number three was quick to praise the impact the Scot has had on his overall game.

"Bob, as far as I believe is the best swing coach in the world," said Harrington. "He can tell everything that is going on in a golf swing and the consequences that has.

"He has studied every golf swing out there and his knowledge of the secrets of the golf swing are second to none.

"Through his experience, he has spent his whole life examining golf swings and I have total trust in what he says with me.""