Interview: Philip Reid finds Padraig Harrington in a very positive frame of mind ahead of competing on the TPC course at Sawgrass, a venue where he traditionally plays well and one that suits his game

Who, in truth, knows why some courses fit the eye, and others don't? Whatever the real reason, and golf is a game that can destroy the soul if you attempt to put too much sanity into the answer, Padraig Harrington knows that the TPC course at Sawgrass is one that suits his game.

It just does.

Maybe it's the small greens that demand every approach shot be hit with the delicacy of trying to get a thread through the eye of a needle. Or, maybe, it's simply the intimidation factor, with so many holes (and not just the infamous 17th) insisting that the mind be entirely focused. Whatever the reasoning, Harrington knows he traditionally plays well here and his particularly chirper mood yesterday was indicative of a player very much in a comfortable environment.

A week away from tournament play has enabled him to recharge the batteries. "I was flagging a bit," remarked Harrington of a four-week stretch that took in Malaysia, California and two tournaments in Florida that kick started his season.

"Now, I'm keen to play again. I'm just concentrating day by day, bit by bit, and let other things look after themselves," he added, having spent that time in Dublin catching up on a bit of practice with his coach Bob Torrance and some gym work.

Harrington has returned to the States for a three-week stint that leads up to the US Masters at Augusta in a fortnight's time, also taking in next week's BellSouth Classic in Atlanta. Sawgrass is not his favourite course in America - that distinction goes to Westchester, where he won the Barclays Classic last year - but it is well up there on his list, along with Augusta and Mirasol.

"I just like the look of the course. I feel comfortable on it," said Harrington, a liking backed up by the statistics. He has secured two runners-up finishes in the Players, to Davis Love in 2003 and to Adam Scott in 2004. "Sometimes you go to a course, like Bay Hill where I've been a few times, and it is hard to see anything and I try to avoid going back to a course where I don't perform. But I come here and I can see things."

In contrast to a year ago, when Harrington arrived just a fortnight after his maiden US Tour win (in the Honda Classic) but weighed down by concern over his late father Paddy's ill health, the Dubliner - who has dropped to 24th in the world rankings, compared to sixth place 12 months ago when he was the leading European player in the world - feels very positive about the days, weeks and months that lie ahead.

"This year I feel like I've played much better in the first four weeks than I have in any other year (since turning professional). I'm very happy with the winter preparations and I'm very happy with how things are going. Whether it comes right this week, or next week, or in six months' time, who knows? But, certainly, in terms of the work I'm doing, the gym work, the swing work, the mental work, all of it, I'm very happy."

The intimidation factor associated with Sawgrass is something that Harrington believes can sometimes give him an advantage.

"On every hole out there, there's shots to be played. I'm always better when I have a bit of fear and there's lots of holes out there that keep you on your toes. I need a bit of adrenalin to focus," he explained.

Of all the holes at Sawgrass, the 17th - a par three of 137 yards to an island green - is the one that causes a chill to run up the spine. "I see the 17th as a real advantage to me, ideal to me. It's a windy hole and people find that intimidating, but I was brought up hitting shots like that."

Yet, every time Harrington (who had avoided dropping a shot there in 21 visits until the second round last year) walks to the par five 16th green, he casts an eye over to the 17th to garner whatever information he can.

"I watch everything. I watch the flag on the green, the big flag (on the television gantry). I watch where the guys on the tee are hitting their tee shots. Any more information that you can pick up for that hole the better.

"The 13th and eighth holes are probably tougher par three holes to make par, but the 17th is more intimidating.

"If you miss the greens on the others, you've a chance to chip and putt to make par. On the 17th you don't have that chance, you'd want to be really good to chip out of water. It is all duck and no dinner. If you miss the green, a double bogey is staring you in the face."

It's just as well the course fits his eye, it would seem.