Harrrington admits to fatigue after two major wins

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ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) -- Padraig Harrington feels this week's Dunhill Links Championship over three courses is the perfect place to come down from "two big highs" that have left him drained of energy.

Badz/PGA TOUR

Padraig Harrington did not make it to THE TOUR Championship -- despite winning the last two majors of the year -- because he struggled in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.

The Irishman's successful defense of his British Open title and his victory in the PGA Championship within three weeks left him exhausted for later events, including the Ryder Cup, where, for the second time, he contributed just half a point to the European total.

He conceded Tuesday that he was worn out at Valhalla and during the FedExCup series that preceded the Ryder Cup. Blood tests have shown he was low in antioxidants, and his white blood cells were too active.

"I had two big highs, and after a high, you have to have a low," Harrington said.

Now, he is trying to manage his fatigue so that he can work on his game in the offseason as usual.

"Last year during the winter, I got sick twice, and I lost the winter because I had overdone things. This year I have managed it better," he said.

"I am a little bit run down, so the key for me is obviously not to overdo things this week. It's going to be a long week and a tough week in these conditions. The key is just to enjoy it as much as I can, not overdo things and just let the golf happen."

The Dunhill Links is played over the Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, with the fourth and final round on The Old Course. Harrington has won this title twice, in 2002 and 2006.

"It is a nice atmosphere for me to come back to. I obviously like playing links golf. I like the three courses we play here," Harrington said. "They are different, all very good in their own right but completely different.

Harrington is also looking forward to getting some practice and gym work in.

"Except for three days last week, I haven't practiced since just before the Open, a good couple of months when I haven't put in any concerted work on my game, my short game, or anything like that," he said. "I miss that. I like doing my practice. I haven't been physically up for it. My gym work is slipping a little bit because I've been tired as well.

"But I can see I'll be quite ready for the Volvo Masters (in October)."

One of Harrington's remaining targets is the Order of Merit title, which he won in 2006 and again leads this year.

"That's a prime reason why I shall be trying very hard this week. I have only two tournaments left -- this one and the Volvo Masters at Valderrama. And if I win one of them, that more of less guarantees me the Order of Merit," he said.

"(Winning the Order in 2006) was a lot more special. It's a bigger deal the first time. But the fact that I'm leading this time makes me more focused."

The 37-year-old Harrington said winning the Grand Slam of all four majors in his career was not a priority.

"I've won two of the four. If I was going to win another, I'd like it to be one of the other two and then the fourth," he said. "But I am not going to be picky. I'll settle for winning The Open every year.

"My priority is just to make sure that I bring my game to the majors. I concentrate on peaking in those weeks and being ready to play in those weeks. I reckon that gives me another eight years of being competitive and leaves plenty of time to win plenty more majors. I do believe my game is getting better, and I am getting better mentally as well."