Padraig Harrington's 2007 British Open triumph gave the Irishman a taste for major success — and left runner-up Sergio Garcia even hungrier.

When the 108th US Open tees off on Thursday, both will be among a European contingent trying to end a drought in the US championship stretching back to Tony Jacklin's victory in 1970.

"The US Open obviously brings a certain element of expectation and puts a bit more stress in a week like this," Harrington said Tuesday. "Having won a major as a player, you want to go on and win two."

Harrington tied for fifth at the Masters in April and arrived at Torrey Pines after finishing tied for fourth at the St. Jude Championship on the US PGA Tour on Sunday.

He admitted his form so far this season hasn't been such that he was ready to make any predictions for the week.

"I can't tell you now that I'm going to have a great week or I can't tell you that it's going to be a bad week," he said. "All I can say is... I feel ready at this stage that things are on track."

At least, Harrington said, his victory at Carnoustie gives him something to draw on if he can put himself into contention.

"It gives you the confidence that if you can get into that situation you believe you can do it again," he said.

Garcia, whose playoff loss to Harrington at Carnoustie left him with the unenviable "best player never to win a major" tag, said he didn't dwell on the unlovely label.

"I've tried to take a positive out of it," he said. "Like anybody else, my goal is to win tournaments, win majors, try to become the best player I can become."

Garcia owns 13 top-10 finishes in majors, including a tie for third in the 2005 US Open, but no victories in 38 attempts.

After missing the cut at the Masters, the 28-year-old Spaniard boosted his confidence in May with a playoff victory at the prestigious Players Championship, dubbed by many Stateside as the "fifth major."

"Winning the Players is always something huge, and that gives you a lot of confidence," Garcia said. "Winning on a tough golf course, and probably the deepest field we play all year... it was a great victory."

He said his feeling as he battled through the final three holes at TPC Sawgrass were similar to those at Carnoustie. He just hoped he'd be in the hunt at the same stage on Sunday.

"Every time you're trying to win a big event like those, of course you're a little bit nervous and you're trying to control your emotions," he said. "But they were both great experiences. I learned from both of them.

"I'm looking forward to going through the emotions again this week."

AFP