Harrington: Best is still to come

Last updated: 7th January 2013

Padraig Harrington says he has to think his best years are still ahead of him and claims he'll be playing on into his 70s.

Harrington, now 41, will kick off his season at the Volvo Golf Champions event in South Africa this week, and says his passion for the game remains as strong as it's ever been and that he is working and training harder than at any point in his career.

"I love playing, I'm fascinated by the game," he stated. "I'm not a guy who can just say no. You are retired for a long time and I tell you what, I'll still be playing competitive golf when I'm 70.

"I have a young attitude, I'm physically stronger than I've ever been and I just love it, love it.

"Regardless of what anybody else thinks, I've got to think the best is yet to come - that's what keeps me going, that's what gets me up in the morning."

Having put in as much work as he has, the Dubliner is convinced his efforts will soon be rewarded.

"Over the last five weeks you'd be hard pressed to find somebody who's done more time, more practice, more anything on their game than I have," he added.

"If anything I'm still trying to keep a balance on things. I might be doing too much practice, thinking about golf too much, playing too many tournaments.

"I love everything about golf and I'm fascinated by everything about it. Logically I know this isn't going to happen but every day I'm hoping to find the secret to this game."