Harrington targets sharper focus for Southern Hills

AKRON, Ohio, Aug 6 (Reuters) Irishman Padraig Harrington says he needs to sharpen his mental focus for this week's PGA Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The Dubliner tied for 14th at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational yesteday in his first tournament since winning last month's British Open but felt he lacked on-course intensity.

''I may have won the Open two weeks ago but it's the same old story out on the course,'' Harrington told reporters after closing with a two-over-par 72 at Firestone Country Club.

''A lot of work and a lot of discipline has to go into it and at times my focus wandered. While I was good in my preparation, it certainly needs to be better for the PGA.'' The 35-year-old has no regrets, however, over the level of attention he has received since winning his first major title at Carnoustie.

''I like all the hubbub,'' Harrington said with a smile.

''I'm only going to win my first major once so it's good to enjoy it. And it's good to be out there playing.

''I was determined to put in a reasonable effort at Firestone and I did knock it down well but now it's the PGA. It's another tournament and we've got to get going for that.'' PLEASANT MEMORIES The 12-times European Tour winner has pleasant memories of Tulsa's Southern Hills Country Club, where he tied for 30th when the US Open was held there in 2001.

''It was fine as I remember,'' he said. ''The 18th green was a bit bumpy but on the rest of the golf course there was nothing to fear.

''There weren't any holes that I remember thinking: 'Ooh'.

There's not too many holes like the 18th at Carnoustie.'' Harrington feels last week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, on a brutally tough and fast-running Firestone layout, could not have given him better preparation for the year's final major.

''It was a good week to have that event,'' said the Irishman, who became the first European to win a major in eight years with his playoff victory over Spaniard Sergio Garcia at Carnoustie.

''It was excellent to know we were going to get four rounds of golf, as well, on a tough course. You're not going to find any courses as hard as this.'' The elite WGC-Bridgestone Invitational featured a field of 84, including all of the world's top 50, with no halfway cut.

The PGA Championship, where Tiger Woods will defend the title he won last year at Medinah, starts on Thursday.

REUTERS BJR BD1539