US PGA: Padraig Harrington pushed to new heights by challenge of Tiger Woods

[Richard Pascoe]

Padraig Harrington has admitted the task of taking on Tiger Woods helped raise his game to new levels, as the duo play out their latest contest at the top of the US PGA leaderboard.
Woods shot a 67 to hold a one-stroke lead over playing partner and holder Harrington at Hazeltine National in Chaska, Minnesota.
The world No 1 is in rude form after winning the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last week, and Harrington believes coming up against players like Woods can drive you to success.
"I think it pushes you. You have to go to a new level. I think it pushes you on and that's what I like," said Harrington.
"There's no point in being cautious or playing safe and I can get caught very much at times in the middle. You either go for it, you either play well or you don't is my attitude and Tiger brings that out."
Spectators at Turnberry for last month's Open championship would have found it hard to predict that Harrington - in the process of reconstructing his swing - and a lacklustre Woods would be the two men in the driving seat for the US PGA.
But they have both found their feet, most notably during last week's tournament, when the pair played out a dramatic final round together.
"In fairness, last Sunday, both of us were heavily into our own games," Harrington said.
"We were both focused and in the zone and all those sort of things. I think today was a lot more easy-going. We were a lot more relaxed and we chatted away today about so many things, lots of different things.
"Sunday is a business day. Thursday is 'let's get into the tournament'."
Woods concurred and added: "The situation is not the same.
"This is just the first round. You're trying to play yourself into that position where we were last Sunday.
"Last Sunday we didn't say much. I think he said 'I have a Titleist (ball)'. And I said 'I have a Nike, good luck today', and that's pretty much it.
"Today we talked a little bit more because obviously it's the first round and most of the guys usually talk the first two or three days. But you get a little more quiet on the weekend."
But Harrington believes this will all change come the final round on Sunday.
He added: "Definitely Sunday brings its own. There are more nerves involved. There is more adrenalin and if they're used properly it can help you perform even to a greater standard."

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/tigerwoods/6026613/US-PGA-Pad...