Harrington hopes to cap off season with another win

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SENTOSA, Singapore -- Padraig Harrington of Ireland, a two-time major winner in 2008, wants to win the $5 million Barclays Singapore Open to round off the best season of his career.

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Padraig Harrington won two majors in 2008 and wants to finish his year with another victory.

Harrington, winner of three of the last six majors including the British Open and the PGA Championship back-to-back this year, rarely predicts a good showing but he made an exception at Tuesday's press conference at Sentosa Golf Club after talking about his lack of confidence.

"I am very focused on trying to get one last win for the year -- so there I have said it. Get one last win for the year is what I am focused on, just to put the icing on the cake for my Christmas," said Harrington, one of the most popular players in world golf.

The world No. 5 added that the world rankings were becoming increasingly important and the Barclays Singapore Open ensured there were good rewards.

A world-class field has assembled at Sentosa, home of the Asian Tour, and includes world No. 3 Phil Mickeson, twice Singapore Open champion Adam Scott, Ernie Els, Ian Poulter, K.J. Choi, Darren Clarke and Oliver Wilson.

Eighteen of the top-20 players on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit, including the last six Merit winners, are in this week's field as well.

"This tournament is very important. You have got a very strong field. There are rewards this week, you get good world ranking points. A big element to the game at the moment is the world ranking," said Harrington.

"Barclays have brought a good field here and the players know that if they win they will be rewarded in the world rankings. So that is a big thing. It's also my last tournament of the year and you always want to finish well. My expectations are very high."

With his busy playing schedule, Harrington has yet to truly savor his bumper season but looked back at the past six months with great pride. "It's been unbelievable. I started out the year and played nicely but didn't get the results. Then I have the two big results in the summer which was very pleasing," said Harrington.

"My season will go down as the best of my career so far, and one to remember. I do believe that I can win more majors."

Mickelson, who dropped to world No. 3 after Sergio Garcia won in Shanghai on Monday, downplayed the importance of the rankings but highlighted his desire to do well over the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club where he finished 23rd last year after being affected by the high heat and humidity.

He said that he had also come prepared this year for the grain on the Serapong greens by bringing a different putter.

"The conditions last year were different to what I thought they were going to be, with the greens being very difficult, very grainy. I needed to make an adjustment in my putter and get a little bit more loft and get it on top of the grass so that it would start online easier," said Mickelson, who needs to win this week to regain his world No. 2 ranking.

"So I have brought a putter with a little more loft on it and that will hopefully combat some of the grains on the greens. I think that will be the biggest challenge because the golf course tee to green is one of the most challenging tests of golf that you can play anywhere. But the greens are very difficult to putt but if you read them well and putt them well there is a very good chance that the player will win it."

Mickelson, who has won twice on the PGA TOUR this season, said that he enjoyed his maiden trip to Singapore last year and was happy to be back in the Lion City. "I have been looking forward to coming back -- I think that Singapore is one of the most amazing success stories throughout the world," he added. "The golf course is terrific and I am proud to be associated with Barclays and the Barclays Singapore Open which has now become the premier event on the Asian Tour.

"I didn't play as well as I would have liked to here last year. But now, I have been over in Asia over a week now and I've acclimatised to the time change and my game is sharp and ready. I like to improve on last year's performance."

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, a two-time Asian Tour No. 1, will amongst the region's finest looking to wrest the Barclays Singapore Open title.

"It's a big week, big tournament with world class stars. It's very good for the Asian Tour and Singapore," said Thongchai. "I always enjoying playing alongside big stars. It raises my game."

Injuries and illness blighted the front half of Thongchai's season but now that he is fully fit and refreshed after enjoying a week's break where he celebrated his 39th birthday, the Thai hopes to end his two-year title drought.

"I didn't play any golf for three days last week. I'm relaxed coming here. This week is important and I've got two more months to go before the year is up. I'm trying to win a tournament. I always feel I have a chance," said Thongchai.