PADRAIG HARRINGTON gets another taste of the high life on the European Tour when he partners British Open champion Tom Lehman and local favourite Bernhard Langer in the opening round of the German Masters in Berlin today.
There could hardly be a more searching examination of the Stackstown professional's temperament and talent than to figure in a high profile outing with Lehman, who beat the world's best at Lytham in July, and Langer, who has been a winner in Europe in each of the last 17 years.
Langer, twice a winner of the German Masters, which he created to commemorate his 1985 triumph at Augusta, is seeking his 10th win on home soil. Ireland's golfer of the year tees up at the Motzener See club with a target of his own, the prestigious title of Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year.
Harrington, winner of the Spanish Open in May, has earned £247,093 to date, just £389 more than Dane Thomas Bjorn, who recently captured the Loch Lomond World Invitation title. Bjorn leads Scotland's Raymond Russell, who took the Cannes Open in April, by only £1,024.
To them their duel is every bit as important as that between Colin Montgomerie and Ian Woosnam for the Vardon Trophy at the top of the rankings. Montgomerie has a massive lead of £143,348 over the Welshman and should he win £6,653 more than Woosnam this weekend the former US Masters champion will have followed Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros and Sam Torrance in being outscored over a 12 month period by the Scot.
Both Montgomerie and Woosnam are playing only one more merit counting event, the Volvo Masters at Valderrama, where the first prize is £150,000. "It looks as though I will have to win here to keep the thing going, said Woosnam, whose challenge has been blunted in recent weeks by a recurrence of back trouble. "It is a bit looser after treatment so I am looking forward to resting next week in order to be ready for the World Matchplay," he said.
Montgomerie admits he is feeling the strain of trying to equal the four in a row record of Peter Oosterhuis but says: "If I make the right moves here it will all be settled at the weekend. It has been a long season and I am tired, but when it is all over I know the rewards will be worth it."
Harrington could say the same, for ahead lie an Alfred Dunhill Cup debut and a first World Cup appearance in South Africa to cap a wonderful first season in the game. Then there is always a chance of that important second Tour victory.
Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley, who will be his team mates at St Andrews, Philip Walton, and Ronan Rafferty are the other Irish contenders for the £108,330 top prize.
In addition to Lehman, the sponsors have acquired the services of South African Ernie Els, who shortly attempts to win a third successive World Matchplay title, and Ryder Cup captain Seve Ballesteros, who won this title in a memorable play off with Els and Jose Maria Olazabal two years ago. Defending champion is Swede Anders Forsbrand.
