NEWS: Philip Reidwatched as sports manufacturers Wilson breathed a sigh of relief after securing the services of their 'marquee player' for another 10 years

WITH THE replicas of three majors trophies on his breakfast table these days, Pádraig Harrington can't have too many worries. For sure, he's one guy who has out-manoeuvred the recession. Yesterday, in the grand confines of Dublin Castle, the reigning British Open and US PGA champion was given one less reason for any possible insecurity when Harrington and sports manufacturers Wilson recommitted to an enhanced sponsorship that has proven mutually beneficial to both parties for the guts of 10 years.

A number of other golf club manufacturers courted Harrington after the Dubliner retained the Claret Jug as British Open champion at Royal Birkdale in July and then made it back-to-back majors by adding the US PGA title at Oakland Hills in August. And Tim Clarke, the general manager of Wilson, admitted to enduring "many sleepless nights" before a three-year deal, believed to be worth over $10 million (€7.8 million), was finalised, with Harrington billed as the company's marquee player globally for golf.

Wilson also has the likes of tennis players Roger Federer and the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, on its books as well as American footballer Tom Brady, but Clarke claimed at yesterday's formal signing of the contract in Dublin that Harrington was in "rarefied air" when it came to his purchasing power. Indeed, Harrington's third career major win, in the US PGA, added greatly to his bargaining clout.

"He's our marquee player and will continue to be, there's not a better brand ambassador in the game," said Clarke, adding: "For him to win three of the last six majors are proof the products going in his bag really play well for him at the world's highest level."

Although Harrington quipped that the financial windfall wouldn't move him any quicker to buying his own private jet, commenting "this is not the best time to be buying a depreciating asset," he was "genuinely happy" that the club deal had been tied up.

Of his decision to stick with Wilson, with whom he first signed a deal with 10 years ago, Harrington explained: "At the end of the day, there's other things (apart from money) that come into play. I'm definitely signing the best deal for me . . .

"There's nothing better than continuity and Wilson and I have grown together over the past 10 years. The fact they've won 71 majors with their irons and well into the 80s with their wedges is proof of the brand.

"Also, if I'd changed manufacturer and my form dipped, I wouldn't be able to tell if it was a lapse in my focus or a problem with my equipment."

Harrington, who hasn't played since the Dunhill Links Championship a fortnight ago, flies out to Spain today to prepare for next week's Volvo Masters at Valderrama where he is still in contention for the European Tour order of merit title. He currently trails Sweden's Robert Karlsson by €297,424, but there is a top prize of €708,000 on offer in the season-ending tournament.

Despite winning two majors this season, Harrington is playing catch-up on the Swede going into the final counting event but remarked: "Juan Quiros (winner in Portugal last week) and Paul Lawrie did me a favour. I know if I go and win in Valderrama, I win the order of merit. Lee Westwood is in the same boat. And I think the fact Robert Karlsson's played so well this year, and the fact that Lee's played so well this year, and obviously I've had a great year, that the competition is there to keep us interested.

"Whoever wins it (the money title) this year will be very satisfied to know they've beaten a few guys who've had great years. The challenge is there. I've never won at Valderrama but I'm preparing for it by going out early. I really do want to make sure I'll give it 100 per cent in Valderrama."

Harrington intends to play only three more events this year, next week's Volvo Masters followed by the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai (the first official event on the 2009 European Tour) and then the following week's Singapore Open on the Asian Tour before taking a winter's break that won't see him appear on the competitive circuit again until the Abu Dhabi championship next January.

Irish Open hopes to attract global sponsor

ALTHOUGH NO venue or title sponsor has yet been formally secured for next year's Irish Open, the European Tour is confident that a new sponsor - an international company with business dealings in the country - will be secured before the end of December, writes Philip Reid.

The Irish Open - held at Adare Manor for the past two years, but released from a commitment to hold the event there next year - is pencilled in for May 14th-17th on the tour's 2009 calendar, the week after The Players Championship on the US Tour.

"The tour has given it a good date and they're trying to find a global sponsor. I think trying to find an indigenous Irish company that's happy to sponsor the event so as to invite clients along is not going to happen again. Whoever sponsors the Irish Open has to be looking at the global market to get a return," said Pádraig Harrington, who, it transpires, was formally approached (as was Darren Clarke) by the tour to see if he was interested in adopting the tournament.

Harrington explained: "There was a formal approach to myself and Darren, and we came to separate conclusions that we are both too busy to give it 100 per cent . . . a lot of players like Bernhard Langer who have run a successful event have done it later on in their career and I spoke to Jasper Parnevik about his event (in Sweden) and he said he did 12 dinners the week of the SAS Open and that's not something I could do."

As for speculation that the Irish Open could be staged at the JP McManus-owned Luttrellstown Castle next year, Harrington observed: "I did hear speculation, but I'd suggest to you that he (JP) is very focused on running his Pro-Am in 2010. I'm not sure how the Irish Open could fit into that."