Harrington: Nice guys need Major lift
The player seen as the European most likely to end the eight-year drought in the majors this week does not believe he has to change his "nice guy" image to do it.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington was responding to comments made by six-time major winner Nick Faldo that suggested the current generation's "chumminess" is one of the reason the barren run goes on.
Harrington, joint fourth favourite for the Open Championship at Carnoustie behind Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson, said: "Nice guys do win. Everybody goes about things differently. If a friend is struggling I'll tell him. I would want to give him some advice if I could."
He added: "There's this image of the European team being the best of buddies, but I think that's a false image. We are for the week of the Ryder Cup, but we're competitors the rest of the time.
"It wouldn't be as intense as the rivalry between Faldo and Seve (Ballesteros), but that's two guys right at the top.
"At the moment maybe the Europeans haven't got up to the level of winning majors. If one wins the others will be out to hold their place in the pecking order and the rivalry may happen at that stage.
"But at this stage it's just good competition - and we have an awful lot of talented young players.
"They will win majors, there's no question about it. It could happen this week.
"It's just a question of that little breakthrough. If I don't win this week I'll certainly be rooting for another player I'm familiar with so that next time it will be easier because he did it."
