TOUR NEWS:IF WE are to believe Pádraig Harrington, and we should, then all of the tinkering is over. This week, at a time when he has slipped to 10th in the latest world rankings, the 37-year-old Dubliner resumes tournament play - as does Tiger Woods - in the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village in Ohio and it should confirm if his game is finally where he would want it to be.
By his own standards, this has been a poor start to the season for Harrington. Back in January, with two major trophies on his kitchen table, he was ranked fourth in the world. Since then Harrington has, by his own admission, spent too much time working on his swing and not enough on the mental side or on his short game.
"I have not had a balanced preparation throughout the year at all," he admitted.
Since taking a break from tournament play after the Irish Open just over a fortnight ago, Harrington has put in a reconnaissance visit to Turnberry - the venue for the British Open in July - and, perhaps more pertinently, put in more time with his coach Bob Torrance to finish whatever tweaking he deemed necessary to make his swing even better than it was last year when he retained the British Open and won the US PGA.
From now on, Harrington plans to go with what he has. On that point, his many fans - not just in Ireland - will heave a sigh of some relief.
For, in truth, his results this season have not been what they should be.
And although most people believe results to be the only criteria, the player himself will tell you, "the results are very important and they do mean a lot, (but) they are always secondary (to the swing) . . . getting better is the real job at hand."
Indeed, it has always been that way for Harrington, both as an amateur and then in his 12 years on tour as he has always sought to improve on his swing. And, let's be honest, who can argue with what he has achieved?
With the US Open at Bethpage Black pending, however, it is important that Harrington takes what he has with him to the course and to start contending again.
At least Harrington has two very good tournaments - the Memorial and next week's St Jude Classic in Memphis, where Graeme McDowell is also in action - to get tournament sharp ahead of the season's second major, one which many observers believe is actually the course best suited to him of this season's major venues.
While Harrington again prefers to build up to a stateside major by playing on the US Tour, this week's Wales Open at Celtic Manor will feature the two captains for next year's Ryder Cup at the venue.
Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin are both in action where the seven-strong Irish contingent comprises Paul McGinley, Damien McGrane, Peter Lawrie, Shane Lowry, Michael Hoey, Gary Murphy and Jonathan Caldwell.
Pavin, who finished 18th in Crowne Plaza Colonial tournament on the US Tour, started his professional career in Europe and has decided to take a bird's eye view of the TwentyTen Course by playing in Wales this week.
"I'm determined to lead our (US) team with passion and determination but in the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie. In these tough global economic times, we need to keep this wonderful event in perspective . . ."
None of the four Irish players who have earned tickets to the US Open are competing in Wales, however. Harrington is competing at the Memorial, while McDowell (who reappears at next week's St Jude Classic), Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke are taking time out from tournament play. McIlroy and Clarke will resume tournament action at Bethpage.
Meanwhile, Des Smyth will aim to fill a void in his impressive CV when he competes in this week's Irish Seniors Open at Ballybunion. Runner-up to Spain's Juan Quiros last year, Smyth - who has returned to be based on the European Seniors Tour after a successful stint on the Champions Tour in the United States in recent seasons - heads a strong Irish contingent that also includes his former Ryder Cup team-mate Eamonn Darcy and the in-form Ulsterman Jimmy Heggarty.
Smyth's only previous visit to the Old Course at Ballybunion was for the 2000 Irish Open (won by Sweden's Patrik Sjoland) and, despite the presence of such as Ian Woosnam and Sam Torrance in the field, the Co Louth man believes the fact the tournament is again on a links course will be in his favour.
Last year, at Ballyliffin, Smyth was only denied on the final hole of the last round when Quiros edged ahead with a birdie.
"Last year I probably should have won. The weather blew up terribly and I think it beat most people up. Juan played a fantastic shot on the last but I should have had it sewn up by then . . . if my game is on, I have every chance of winning (in Ballybunion). I have not been happy with my game lately. My driving and irons need to improve . . . but Ballybunion would be a great place for it all to come together."
In these recessionary times, the European Tour has responded by pricing season tickets at €15 to cover all three days, with the tournament starting on Friday.
