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Harrington adds Mallorca Classic to schedule

Padraig Harrington has confirmed his intention to enter next week's Mallorca Classic to improve his chances of becoming European…

Mon Oct 09 2006 - 01:00

Padraig Harrington has confirmed his intention to enter next week's Mallorca Classic to improve his chances of becoming European number one for the first time.

Harrington's second victory in four years in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship lifted him into second place on the Order of Merit behind Ryder Cup team-mate Paul Casey.

The 35-year-old had not planned on playing in Spain after trailing Casey by almost €700,000 at the start of last week, but Sunday's first prize helped close the gap to €218,185 after Casey finished in a tie for sixth.

The battle to succeed Colin Montgomerie as European number one will definitely go down to the final event of the season, the Volvo Masters at Valderrama, with David Howell and Robert Karlsson also still in contention.

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"Valderrama has not been the happiest hunting ground for me so anything I can get in Mallorca could push me up a bit. I have to give myself the best possible chance," admitted Harrington, who finished second on the Order of Merit in 2001 and 2002 and third the following two years.

"It's huge deal for me, it's got to be something you want to put onto your CV; the Order of Merit is directly behind the majors. This time of year everything is about the Order of Merit, it gets you going again. I've been using it as motivation after the Ryder Cup to get out on the golf course and push on.

"If I'd been further back I would have found it harder to come out and play such good golf."

Casey, who overtook Ryder Cup team-mate Howell on the money list by winning the HSBC World Matchplay at Wentworth last month, led by one shot after an opening 63 at Kingsbarns but struggled to rounds of 74 and 73 at St Andrews and Carnoustie.

"After a tough Friday and Saturday to post a top-six finish is a good result," said the 29-year-old. "I felt I ground it out well.

"The HSBC was a tough week but the Ryder Cup is, without a doubt, the toughest week I've ever experienced in golf, physically and mentally. That was very much apparent the week after the K Club and this week was tough as well with the weather."