Padraig Harrington is hoping that winning his first PGA Championship on Sunday will translate into more respect for his burgeoning game.

"I have probably been the leading golfer in Europe for close to six years," Harrington said.

"And I still get asked if I am the leading player in Europe. But it is six years I have maintained that. A couple of times I might have lost it but more or less for six years."

Harrington became the first player from Ireland to win the final major championship of the year by rolling in a 15-foot putt on the 18th hole to cap a wild week of golf at the Detroit-area Oakland Hills course.

He captured his second major championship of the year by holding off Sergio Garcia and chasing down third-round leader Ben Curtis. Garcia finished with a 68 and Curtis shot 71.

Garcia is still searching for his first major title despite 14 top 10 finishes in majors.

Judging from the way Harringon systematically dismantled Garcia down the stretch Sunday it is easy to see why people might think he has ice in his veins.

But to hear Harrington tell it, a simple glass of water does the trick. Harrington said one of the keys to snapping a 78-year European title drought in the PGA was to make sure he was properly hydrated on Sunday.

"I didn't play well in the first two rounds. So I had a discussion with my trainer back home and it was possible I was dehydrated," Harrington said. "That gave me something to focus on in the last two rounds.

"I focused on re-hydrating myself. Whether that was the cause or not I don't know. It might have just been tired.

"But at least I had something tangible that I could pin it on and try to put effort into it and it gave me the belief that if I get my hydration right my co-ordination would come back."

This is the second year in a row Garcia has suffered a heartbreaking loss in the final round of a major championship to Harrington.

Harrington believes Garcia will one day break through in a major just not when the two of them are locked in a battle on the back nine.

Harrington also beat the Spaniard in a four-hole playoff in 2007 at Carnoustie for his first major championship. Harrington defended his Open title just three weeks ago.

"I had to convince myself not to get into this sentimental thinking that maybe it is his turn," Harrington said. "Maybe he deserves it.

"I had to convince myself that it is going to be my day. I deserve to win three majors. You have to be very selfish in this situation when you are on the golf course.

"It was evident at Carnoustie when I won. I was so focused on what I was doing and the high of it. Then I turned around and I saw Sergio and I could see the disappointment and that there was a loser that day."

Garcia, whose 2007 PGA Championship ended in disaster when he was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard, bristled at suggestions that he could have done it on Sunday.

"Why are you making this a disappointment?" he said. "It is not disappointing. Every time you are out there trying to win a major you can only have one winner. I am fine."

AFP