Buick Invitational player spotlight: Padraig Harrington

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Each week during the 2009 season, PGATOUR.COM will spotlight one key player in the field (click here to view previous spotlights). For this week's Buick Invitational, it's Padraig Harrington, who is making his '09 PGA TOUR debut at Torrey Pines.

Consider this file to be your one-stop source for everything concerning Padraig this week, with links to Harrington-related content, notes and stats, and video and other multimedia elements. Then, once competition starts, we'll update this file every day with Harrington's results and statistics after each round at Torrey Pines.

Wednesday
Read: See what Padraig had to say in his pre-tournament interview
Watch: Padraig talks about making his PGA TOUR debut at Torrey Pines

Padraig Harrington: Featured content

WRITERS' ROUNDTABLE. Is Padraig Harrington now Tiger Woods' biggest rival? PGATOUR.COM's writers discussed this question. Click here for more PADDY SLAM? Harrington has played well before at the Masters and the U.S. Open, says Melanie Hauser, so winning four straight majors is always a possibility. Click here for more TOP 100 PLAYERS TO WATCH. In our list of the Top 100 Players to Watch in 2009, find out where Padraig landed. Click here for more NICE GUY FINISHES FIRST. Padraig Harrington's Player of the Year win couldn't have happened to a better guy, writes Stan Awtrey. Click here for more 2008 PHOTO GALLERY. Harrington captured two major titles and Player of the Year honors in a stellar 2008 season. Click here for more PLAYER PAGE. Want more on Padraig? On his PGATOUR.COM player page, you can check out his results through the years, or how he ranks on TOUR in certain statistical categories. Click here for player page

Padraig Harrington: Featured videos

SWINGPLEX. Padraig Harrington's classic one-plane swing generates a lot of power with explosive rotation through impact. Click here to watch OLDIE BUT GOODIE. Harrington sank a 66-foot putt to win on the final hole to win the 2005 Barclays. Click here to watch HITTING THE PAVEMENT. During a week off, Padraig Harrington left the comfort of the course for the thrill of the race track. Click here to watch EMERALD SMILE. Three-time major champion Harrington gives us a tour of his home in Ireland. Click here to watch PLAYER OF THE YEAR. Harrington's stunning double major titles in 2008 made him the choice of his peers for PGA TOUR Player of the Year. Click here to watch ALL IN THE FAMILY. Padraig's second cousin, NFL quarterback Joey Harrington, follows Padraig on the course and jokes about their friendly multi-sport bet. Click here to watch

Take Five

Five things you should know about Padraig Harrington

His distant cousin, Dan Harrington, was the 1995 World Series of Poker champion. Harrington, known as "Action Dan," usually wears a kelly green Boston Red Sox hat at the poker table. Advances in equipment may help explain this, but Padraig has grown from being classified as a medium hitter to one of the TOUR's bombers. In 1998, he averaged only 263 yards off the tee. In 2008, Harrington averaged 296 yards per drive. Coached by Bob Torrance, father of 2002 Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance. Led the TOUR in 2008 in approaches from 50-75 yards. Incredibly, Padraig hit his shots from this distance to an average of seven feet, three inches. Shares a birthday (Aug. 31) with actor Richard Gere, musician Van Morrison and comic Chris Tucker.

Padraig Harrington: A very major player

Padraig Harrington accomplished the very fare feat of finishing in the top five in three of the four majors in 2008 (with two victories). How has he stacked up in the last eight major championships: Tournament Scores Finish 2008 PGA Championship 71-74-66-66 1 2008 British Open 74-68-72-69 1 2008 U.S. Open 78-67-77-71 T36 2008 Masters 74-71-69-72 T5 2007 PGA Championship 69-73-72-74 T42 *2007 British Open 69-73-68-67 1 2007 U.S. Open 73-80 CUT 2007 Masters 77-68-75-73 T7

*Won playoff.