Harrington seeks to end title drought in 2014

Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington is optimistic that 2014 could see him end a lengthy victory drought, preferably in time to secure his Masters berth.

"Win, win, win," Harrington said of his aims for his first outing of the season, the US PGA Tour`s Phoenix Open that starts on Thursday. "That`s pretty straight forward for me." Harrington, 42, hasn`t won on the US tour since his PGA Championship triumph in 2008, and his last victory worldwide was the 2010 Iskander Johor Open in Asia. The five-year exemption to the Masters that he earned with two major titles in 2008 has expired, and he must climb from his current 130th in the world into the top 50 or win a tournament to gain an invitation to Augusta National in April. "It`s a longshot, you know, to get into the Masters," he admitted, but even so he was feeling the enthusiasm of tackling a new season. "First tournament of the year is always a great tournament," he said. "You never know what you`re going to get. It`s always nice your first week out." Harrington acknowledged that he`s had difficulty adapting to the rules on club face grooves that went into effect in 2010, which made it harder for him to put spin on the ball. He`s hoping a new, softer Titleist ball will help him with that issue this season. "I`d be happy if I hit the golf ball like I did last year and putting it and chipping it a little better," he said. "And I seem to be doing that. I`m in a good place, no doubt about it -- but I do need results." Harrington made his Phoenix debut last year and finished equal ninth at 17-under par. He says he likes the raucous atmosphere of the tournament, epitomized by the massive galleries that cheer like football fans at the par-three 16th. "It`s nice to see something different," he said. "I really do enjoy that ... golf should be more fun, and this week they certainly do fun in a big way." He said he hadn`t so far offered any advice to fellow European and Phoenix newcomer Lee Westwood on coping with the 16th -- where thousands of fans fill grandstands surrounding the hole and pay little heed to traditions of reserved golf-fan etiquette. "I don`t think you can describe it to people," Harrington said. "And I do believe that every person reacts a little bit different to it ... For golf, there is nothing like it."