Reuters - Irishman Padraig Harrington does not want to be distracted by memories of his Open Championship success while competing in this week's US PGA Championship.
"I'm out here giving it 100 percent this week and, if I don't perform, there will be a bit of disappointment in it," Harrington told a news conference at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“Maybe in two weeks' time, I'll be looking back and saying: 'Well, I won the Open'. But for the next six days it's all about the PGA Championship.
"The Open championship, it's a nice memory, but it's on the back burner for the moment. I'm certainly not trying, in any shape or form, to play down this event after winning The Open.
"When you win, there's always another tournament and, if you haven't played well, there's always another tournament the following week. We're very fickle and we're so dependent on how we play in those events."
Having clinched his first Major title in a play-off with Spaniard Sergio Garcia at Carnoustie just over two weeks ago, Harrington has raised his expectations for the 89th US PGA Championship.
"At this stage I've got to believe I have more of a chance and I'll convince myself of that by Thursday morning," said the 35 year old Dubliner, referring to the opening round.
"We'll only look back in hindsight on Sunday and, if I haven't performed, say: 'Well maybe there was a little bit of a letdown after winning The Open'.
"I'm trying to prepare the same way as I prepared at The Open I'm really looking forward to the event and quite happy with how things are going."
Harrington, who became Europe's first Major winner in eight years at Carnoustie, has a feeling his continent is poised for further success.
"There are a lot of good European players and, having been familiar with my game and seeing me go on, I think there are a number of players that will have added belief," he said.
"It's quite possible. I believe we're in a better place now than we were going into The Open having a chance to win a Major Championship.
"If the floodgates open up over the next couple of years, I'm going to take the credit for it," the popular Irishman added with a broad grin.
Tiger Woods, despite being widely regarded as the world's best-known sports figure, believes David Beckham probably has a higher global profile.
American Woods gave his opinion at Southern Hills after being voted the "ultimate sports star" in a survey conducted last month by ESPN television.
"It's pretty funny actually," the World Number One and 12 time Major winner told a news conference during preparation for his title defence at this week's US PGA Championship.
"As far as world athletes, I don't see how Beckham didn't beat me. As far as global figures, he's probably more global than me.
"You know golf is not truly played all around the world. It is played in most places but not like soccer or football is.
"I think that whole 'Who's Now' was about us in America. If it had gone globally, it would have been probably different."
'Who's Now' was a daily series aired by ESPN whose viewers voted for the ultimate sports star based on both "on-field success and off-field buzz".
After 32 finalists squared off in a single-elimination bracket, Woods beat NBA player LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the accolade by earning 65.1 percent of the vote.
Woods was also voted last month the most popular sports figure in the US for the second successive year in a poll conducted by Harris Interactive.
Former England captain Beckham, one of the world's most marketable sports figures, signed a five-year deal earlier this year with U.S. club Los Angeles Galaxy worth $32.5 millio.
The 32 year old midfielder is expected to earn an estimated $250 million with the Galaxy, financed heavily by endorsements, and has set his sights on taking US soccer to a new level.
Twice Masters winner Bernhard Langer pulled out of the US PGA Championship on Tuesday because of illness.
The 49 year old German, whose best finish in the tournament was a tie for 21st at PGA National in 1987, has been replaced in the field by American Ted Purdy.
