Golf-Harrington finds confidence elusive despite major wins

By Larry Fine

PARAMUS, New Jersey, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Three major wins, two in the last month, have not dispelled the fear of failure that is at the core of Padraig Harrington's success.

The Irishman said on Tuesday that he wished he could take greater confidence from his titles, having added the U.S. PGA Championship nine days ago to last month's second successive British Open.

"Most of my life I've been motivated by fear," Harrington told reporters.

"I took no confidence out of winning the Open last year. I still played the same way for the following year," the 36-year-old said at Ridgewood Country Club, where the Barclays tournament opens the FedExCup playoffs on Thursday.

"One of the things I said after the PGA was in order for me to move to the next level...(I had) to take some confidence winning three majors.

"I'd love to say to you that I will turn up and play this week and stand on the first tee and strut my stuff, but that's just not what I'm like," the world number three said.

"Generally, when I play my best golf I stand over every shot worrying about where I'm going to miss it.

"I'd love to be able to be the guy who doesn't see the miss and stand there and play with that confidence, and stop the reliance on adrenaline and intensity in order to get the best performance out of myself."