Interview: London Ontario Golf Editor Jeffrey Reed with Padraig Harrington
London Ontario Golf April 2010
Copyright 2010 London Ontario Golf

Few PGA Tour members are as well loved by fellow golfers and the media as is Ireland's Padraig Harrington. A five-time winner on the PGA Tour, including three majors (Open Championship 2007-08 and PGA Championship '08), plus winner of 16 International titles (including 14 European Tour wins), Harrington has experienced a mixed bag on the links in 2010. Now sitting at No. 11 on the official World Golf Ranking, the native of Dublin, Ireland - who turns 39 this August - still has the game to compete for the No. 1 spot. He was ranked as high as No. 3 in 2008. But in 2009, with a plan to better his game - despite an '08 campaign which saw him win numerous accolades, including European Tour, PGA Tour and PGA of America Player of the Year - Harrington went to work on his swing. Many criticized the amiable Irishman, but few understood that there was a method to what they perceived to be his madness.

Thus far in 2010, Harrington ranks 34th on the PGA Tour with $752,785 in earnings. He finished T3 at the World Golf Championships-CA Championship - and even visited the White House on March 17: St. Patrick's Day. At the Masters Tournament, Harrington missed the cut. Always honest, Harrington had this to say at his official website, www.PadraigHarrington.com:

"I missed the cut because I just didn't play well, particularly on Thursday. I struggled right from the first on day one when I hit my drive into the bunker. I made par but I never felt comfortable, then I continued to hit poor tee shots which meant I struggled to make pars. No matter how much I tried I just couldn't get comfortable - I was battling hitting a bad shot every time I stood over the ball," wrote Harrington.

"I stayed on for the weekend to practice and try and iron out the problems I had during the week. I knew that I had a couple of things that needed work but I didn't want to get technical during the tournament as I never play well when I am working on my swing. I practiced on the new practice ground as it is a great facility and the weather was perfect. I definitely got some good work done, so much so that I left feeling much better about myself, still disappointed but feeling much more positive than I was on Friday," Harrington added.

Before the Masters Tournament, London Ontario Golf editor Jeffrey Reed spent some time chatting with Harrington about his game, his Wilson Staff golf clubs, and about the game of golf - including the Tiger Woods meltdown. Harrington also spoke about his talent of Irish dancing - but only when pressed. Warning: ask about Irish dancing or Harrington's goals for the year, and be prepared for a very terse reply - but all in good fun.

Very much a family man - Harrington and his wife, Caroline, have two sons - Patrick, 7, and Ciaran, 3 - Paddy spoke from his home outside Dublin where his children played in the background, asking dad to join in on the fun. You can bet as soon as Paddy finished his phone call, he did just that.

London Ontario Golf: Great to chat with you again Padraig. Before we get started, I have to tell you that at my home course, The Fox Golf Club, our superintendent (Patrick Brennan) is from County Cork (Ireland) and once worked at the Home of Golf.

Padraig Harrington: Is that right? They're a hearty bunch up in Scotland, I'll tell you. It's a lot colder up there now than in Ireland. There's a significant difference between Scotland and Dublin, and down to London - a significant difference in weather, in temperature.

LOG: When we chatted last, I told you my wife and I plan to visit Ireland soon. We've never been.

PH: Very good. Are you looking forward to it?

LOG: Very much so! Our roots are in Ireland. And as you know, there are Harringtons in our family tree. I've told my wife, I am bringing my clubs. So let's look at 2010, and briefly recap 2009. And I see congratulations are in order. At the end of 2009, you received an award, along with young Rory McIlroy and veteran Christy O'Connor - the Bank of Ireland Excellence in Sports Awards.

PH: Yes. It was nice at the end of the year to be receiving awards. I think the real star of the show, though, was Rory. (McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, was named Ireland's Golfer of the Year). I got mine - which I worry about - for my non-golfing achievements, instead of my golfing achievements (laughs).

LOG: Right, for your Foundation.

PH: Yes. (O'Connor was recognized for his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame).

LOG: Just quickly, with Rory, he's going to play a lot in the U.S. this year. Have you seen a young talent come out of Ireland like Rory during your lifetime?

PH: Oh no. There's no doubt about it. Well, I suppose if you went back, I've seen a few guys who have come out of Ireland over the years, who have been heralded, but you would probably have to go back to Ronan Rafferty. He went on Tour and won the Order of Merit at a very young age. He was apparently picked to be, and was, I suppose, a great star at a very young age. He was playing senior golf from 14 years of age. (Rafferty won the British Boys title at age 15 and was a Walker Cup team member at age 17). Was he successful as Rory as an amateur? It's hard to believe, but Rory was actually more successful younger. (McIlroy won countless tournament as a youngster). There were a few others, but Rory is also picked to be a great Irish player-European player, and also a great world player, which is, I suppose, it's possible he could go on and, in time, beat the best in the world.

LOG: He certainly has the tools, and he's very mature - level-headed - for someone his age.

PH: Rory has all the potential to go all the way.

LOG: It will be fun watching him. Also, the PGA Tour recently ranked the Top 10 Players of the Decade, and you received No. 8.

PH: Oh, very good! I didn't realize that. That's nice. It's always good to be included.

LOG: Canada's Mike Weir was listed No. 10.

PH: Mike would be there, too. I think the key would be to try to make it in the next decade as well (laughing). Two decades! No, I am thrilled. It's great to be included. Who are the Top 10? Tiger is No. 1.

LOG: Yes, Tiger's No. 1. Phil Mickelson No. 2. Vijay Singh No. 3. Ernie Els No. 4. Retief Goosen No. 5.

PH: Ernie Els was No. 4, was he?

LOG: Big Ernie, yes he was. Jim Furyk No. 6. Kenny Perry No. 7 - that surprised me. You at No. 8. David Toms No. 9 and Weir. That's a pretty good lineup right there.

PH: Yes, pretty solid, alright.

LOG: The PGA Tour listed that in 2000 you were ranked No. 51, and then bloomed and entered 2010 at No. 5 (now sitting at No. 11).

PH: I got into the Top 50 around 2000. I think I had to qualify for the 1999 Open (Championship). After that, I pretty much kept myself inside the Top 50 from then on. The last couple of years, even though I was No. 3 (in 2008), it's nice to have an average year and be No. 5.

LOG: One thing that really impressed me about your play in 2009 was even though so many of my colleagues were saying you were changing your swing but shouldn't, because of your recent success, you stuck to your guns. And you made a great comment on The Golf Channel recently when you said before you played a lot of golf in the U.S., you made changes numerous times but no one said anything. Now that you've won the Open Championship twice, everyone is focussing on your swing changes. It's a completely different type of focus.

PH: Yes. There is no doubt that I was more in the spotlight. But when I've made changes in the past, I was obviously changing what I perceived to be my biggest weakness. My strengths would normally hide it in the past. But this time around, I did take my eye off the ball, and my strength did not hold up. Probably as much as I still wanted to improve that weakness, probably the best thing I've done in all of that is focus on my strengths - they're the most important things. And those are the things I need to make sure I keep as good as I can. Not only did I learn a lot about my golf swing, but I also learned what makes me a Ôplayer.' I turned it around, obviously, towards the end of (2009). That had nothing to do with what I had been changing. It was more to do with my core strength. That's what makes me tick. And I need to make sure I keep my strengths good.

LOG: Talk a bit about the people who are part of your team, including coach Bob Torrence; your caddie and brother-in-law, Ronan Flood; sports psychologist Bob Rotella; your fitness coach, Dr. Liam Hennessy; and your chiropractor, Dr. Dale Richardson. You have a strong support team helping out behind the scenes.

PH: I have a big team behind me. I have a great manager, Adrian Mitchell. (Dr.) Paul Hurrion (biomechanist). There is a big group of people. When you start naming these people, you always manage to leave somebody out.

LOG: I spoke recently with Mike Weir - and he was just inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

PH: I do think that's quite funny. Because Mike Weir - he's quite young.

LOG: Yes, he is. He said, ÔDon't put me out to pasture just yet.'

PH: (Laughing) I'm a bit like that myself because obviously here in Ireland they are having a debate about the greatest Irish sportsman. And I've been trying to avoid being included in that because I feel my career is not finished. But then, whoever the greatest is on that list, they might not be the greatest in five years time. So if you can get the accolade, take the accolade. You never know who's coming around the corner.

LOG: True. Weir talked about how it is important that the people on his team let him focus on golf. They take care of everything else off the course.

PH: Certainly with my team as well, the people around me - it's very important that you have people who you can get trusted advice from, on all elements of things. Like, when I was working on my swing (in 2009). It was very important that I had people who I could talk with clearly, who knew exactly who I am and what I'm doing. And not people looking in from the outside with less than full information about what I'm all about. That's what I think the most important thing about your team is: you have to surround yourself with core people. I have some family involved ... who I can get solid advice from. They'll give me a kick up the arse when I need it, and they also give me a little bit of comfort when I need it as well. You really do need that around you. If you were to be affected by the media and outside comments, you'd be a nervous wreck in this game in no time.

LOG: Absolutely. Golf is a sport like no other, where you really must be mentally strong.

PH: I believe that any given shot at any given moment of time is 99.9 per cent mental. I think for general performance and longevity, other things go with it. But definitely the shorter time frame, the more the game is mental. For the guys who execute the shots coming down the stretch, not a huge amount to do with his technique. It has much more to do with his mental side. But certainly, to avoid injuries, and not to have to grind it out every week, the easier it is on you and the easier it is on your body.

LOG: Let's talk about your equipment. Wilson Staff - I thought a lot of you when you remained loyal to Wilson and signed a new contract. Some thought you might move onto greener pastures - sign a bigger contract. But it showed loyalty when you stuck with Wilson.

PH: My answer to that is, they're prepared to really work with me on anything I need. That gives me tremendous confidence that they will move mountains to make sure I have the best equipment. And that's really nice support. They obviously make great equipment. I have the most lenient contract that there is in golf - well, probably not the most lenient - but they have a very lenient contract because they are confident that they can always get me into the best golf clubs. They don't say I have to play everything, which a lot of manufacturers do. They say, I can play what I like. They'll make sure that theirs is the best for me. They have tremendous confidence in themselves, and it gives me the confidence that I'll always have the best.

LOG: Last time we chatted, we discussed how you play a part in club design and development, like the Tw9 wedges.

PH: I'm always involved. They keep me very much in the loop when it comes to design. Usually they put the technology into it, and I am helping with the aesthetics. I do believe a golf club has to look good in order for it to perform well. They keep great aesthetics. When you think of Wilson, obviously they design great wedges. They've won more majors than anyone else with their irons. They know how to do these things. They have an advantage in technology, and keep up at that level. And they keep a traditional look, so you have a golf club which is very, very playable.

LOG: I'm proud to say, I played the Ci7 irons, and Tw9 wedges and scored a 60.

PH: Very nice. Oh my God! Well, you've shot a lower score than me.

LOG: (Laughing) Let's not get crazy, Padraig. I wouldn't compare my game to yours in a billion years. My next round at the same course, I shot a 78!

PH: (Being kind) OK, that is where there's a bit of a difference, then.

LOG: Two eagles, no bogeys, played the Tw9 wedges, had a Di6 4-iron in my bag.

PH: The (Wilson Staff) Di (Distance) irons are unbelievably powerful. They're very powerful. I used some of those irons in some of the majors. I actually used a whole set for one tournament and I won it! But they were too powerful though. I was hitting my 7-iron like 200 yards - sometimes what I should be doing. But it was incredible, how far those irons went.

LOG: Yes, they're crazy long. I put the Wilson Staff Smooth driver in my bag last summer. I found it to be a little longer than the Dd6+.

PH: I won three majors with the Dd6+ so I can't complain too much about that club! Now I'm looking for a little less spin.

LOG: You play the Pro V1x ball?

PH: Pro V1x.

LOG: Little less spin, little further than Pro V1.

PH: This is where you have to test golf balls. You have to tell your guys out there, you have to test between the Pro V1x and the Pro V1. My caddie is a 2 handicap. He hits the Pro V1 20 yards further than the Pro V1x.

LOG: More compression for his swing.

PH: He needs more spin. It gives him more spin. But I hit the Pro V1x further. So it's not the same for everybody. I get more spin with the Pro V1x around the greens than I do with the Pro V1.

LOG: That surprises me. You know what else surprises me? You still haven't played in Canada. The RBC Canadian Open, though, is again scheduled for (July 22-25), the week after the Open Championship.

PH: It's always the week after. I'd love to come play the Canadian Open. The problem this year is it's the week before the Irish Open (July 29-August 1). Couldn't be at a worse date for me.

LOG: It's a scheduling thing - a lot of players don't enter the Canadian Open field.

PH: I watch the tournament every year, and I say, I'd like to go play there. Some day it's going to happen.

LOG: I'll be there when you play.

PH: Good, spend some time with me.

LOG: Sounds like a plan. Dinner would be great. I want to move onto Tiger Woods. I was in on Tim Finchem's year-end conference call with the media, and we all know what has transpired lately. Finchem was bombarded with Tiger, Tiger, Tiger.

PH: Well, it was an important issue for us in a year when they renegotiate the TV contract. It highlights how important Tiger is to the game. That's what the commissioner is there for. He has to work through this, and handle these things.

LOG: You've stated numerous times, when you're the No. 1 sportsman in the world, it goes along with the territory.

PH: Yes. If you lived your life as a hermit and you never took a dollar from a sponsor for endorsements, then you could ask for no spotlight. But any sports people who get paid for endorsements ... it's all part of the show and the razzmatazz. You have to expect it.

LOG: Arnold Palmer was asked the same question, and his reply was similar to yours. Of course, Arnold's first endorsement contract was in the neighbourhood of $5,000. Tiger's was for $50 million. Big difference. Whenever you and Tiger have been paired together, there was a mutual respect. I know Tiger loves the competition.

PH: I like the competition! I love it. He's great to play with. He's obviously the best player in the world. You want to pit your game against his. If Tiger and Phil Mickelson weren't around, I wouldn't have been changing my swing (in 2009).

LOG: Always trying to improve.

PH: Always trying to get better. I've been No. 3 in the world, and I felt I needed something extra to compete with these guys. That's what it's all about. You want to play against Tiger. You want to play against Phil. You want to win against the very best. I like playing with Tiger because I find Tiger very good on the golf course in terms of, he says, ÔGood shot,' when ÔGood shot' needs to be said. He plays the game. He wants to beat you by out-golfing you, which is the way you want to have it.

LOG: Now 2010, and you're looking forward to your next win.

PH: I don't tell anybody my goals. The issue now is, it wouldn't be very hard to predict them at this stage of my career. Whereas I don't tell people my goals, there is no doubt that it would be easy to figure out what the importance of winning is. It's certainly big. The major tournaments are big. You see? Now I am telling you my goals. I don't like telling my goals.

LOG: Well we have some great venues for the majors this year, Pebble Beach for the U.S. Open, and back to the Home of Golf for the Open Championship, PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.

PH: I agree. The majors are special every year, but there are some big venues this year. The thing about major tournaments is, it's nice to play great venues, but I prefer venues I do well at. The four majors this year I actually like, so hopefully that will be a benefit for me. If I thought I was going to win, I wouldn't mind going out and playing on a poor golf course (laughing). But it would be nice to win on some of the great courses. Obviously St. Andrews will be incredibly special. The Home of Golf, really, in the U.S. - Pebble - will be up there. Who would say no to winning at Augusta? (Harrington missed the cut). Whistling Straits, PGA Championship.

LOG: Listen, I was watching The Golf Channel, a Playing Lessons with the Pros segment with Stephanie Sparks and you revealed some hidden talent. So I understand you were an International Step Dancing contest when you were younger?

PH: Irish dancing. I'd like to leave it at that (joking). I won a trophy in New York when I was 13 years of age for Irish dancing. That's why I don't give any more details than that, or I would be found out if I did.

LOG: Obviously Michael Flatley didn't sign you for Lord of the Dance.

PH: Haha! (Feigning anger). Listen, the less I talk about it, the bigger the story is going to be!

LOG: (Laughing) We'll leave that alone. Stephanie also had you do the Happy Gilmore tee shot. Now that showed athleticism.

PH: You know, I grew up playing hurley, an Irish sport. From the very first time I tried that, I had no problem hitting the ball. I hit it 20 yards further, at least 20 yards further. When you consider my average ball speed on Tour is around 170 mph, I can break 190 mph with a Happy Gilmore, which would be 50 yards further.

LOG: Padraig, it has been a pleasure - and great to talk to a fellow Wilson Staff golfer. I'm thrilled to have the Ci9 irons in my bag.

PH: Speaking of clubs, I'm selling nearly all of my golf equipment for charity. (Visit www.padraigharrington.com/charitable_foundation.php). Golf shirts, sportswear, posters, things I've collected over time. Twelve years of stuff! I'm looking at 30 sets of golf clubs. I think 100 wedges, 50 drivers, going out the door all for charity.

LOG: Terrific. Best of luck with it, and all the best in 2010.

PH: Thanks very much, Jeff.

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