article: The European Tour's 'links swing' of seaside golf begins with the Irishman's home open at Portstewart. After this week's Irish Open, it is the Scottish Open at Dundonald before The Open itself at Royal Birkdale. Three consecutive weeks of golf in its most traditional form, which demands shot-making skills, imagination, power and touch. Over the years, Harrington has been blessed with all these attributes and this forthcoming spell concludes at the venue where he won the second of his two Opens, a place where he played the golf of his life. Now 45, this most articulate of golfing ambassadors is one of the senior figures on tour, blessed with rare intelligence and perspective. He thinks golf is harder than ever for the younger generation because of the depth of talent around these days. But he still believes Rory McIlroy, whose charitable foundation backs this week's Irish Open, can win up to 10 majors. And for someone who has practised tirelessly his entire career, Harrington says he will return to Birkdale later this month feeling a sense of contentment, happy for the memories of 2008 to come flooding back. Indeed, he has already returned to the Southport course with his club sponsors to help reignite thoughts of what was a remarkable title defence after initially winning it at Carnoustie in 2007. "Content is the word. I come back here and I know that I've done it," Harrington told BBC Sport over a cup of tea in Birkdale's distinctive art-deco clubhouse. "When I come back for The Open I have to make sure I take time to take a deep breath and look round and enjoy everything. I'm not saying I'm retired now but anything I do now in the game of golf will be a bonus. "I'm on the ultimate busman's holiday at this stage and I intend to embrace that." It was a different story in 2008, when it took generous assistance from rival Phil Mickelson to help Harrington be fit enough to tee up for his title defence. The Irishman injured his wrist practising at home the weekend before The Open. "I was doing some speed work, hitting an impact bag one-handed," Harrington told me. "I'd just hit a golf ball at 177mph one-handed and then hit into the bag and tweaked something in my wrist. "I couldn't swing the golf club Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday without some pain. I was getting physio all day, every day, and in the evening I was going over to Phil Mickelson's hotel. "He had one of these laser-like treatment machines and I was leaving no stone unturned. "We'd have this 45-minute chat every night as I sat there lasering my wrist in his hotel. It was a small room too," Harrington added, with his infectious giggle. "Phil is that type of guy. He's got a good sense of the game. He wants to beat the hell out of you on the golf course but he'd like you to be playing your best while he's doing it." Despite his lack of practice, Harrington was able
summary: Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington will be relishing the prospect of this phase of the golf season probably more than any of the other top stars in the game.