Padraig Harrington believes world number one Scottie Scheffler will prove the greatest threat to Rory McIlroy's bid for back-to-back majors at the US PGA Championship this week.
Harrington had a choice of majors this week, but opted to utilise his lifetime exemption after his 2008 US PGA Championship triumph at Oakland Hills to form part of a potent five-man Irish challenge at Quail Hollow, rather than heading for the at the Regions Tradition in Alabama on the senior tour.
Despite four missed cuts in the six PGA Tour and DP World Tour tournaments he has contested this year, the Dubliner won't be found wanting in terms of his mental approach in Charlotte.
"I always believe I can win. Why not?" Harrington told RTÉ Sport.
"To do that, I have to get my head in the right place. Physically, I'm good enough.
"I'm motivated to do that, not just because of this week, but because I have two months of big tournaments ahead of me.
"Playing well this week would be very satisfying, going into the run that I'm going into."
Harrington lines up alongside McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Séamus Power, and Tom McKibbin, and is confident of a bold Irish challenge, spearheaded by the Masters champion.
"Our Irish chances are great," he opined. "I'm glad to be included in that 'great'.
"I wish I could take some of Rory's percentage chance of winning because he's going to be a hot favourite on this golf course, even against Scottie.
"The difference between now and the Masters is that I think Scottie has got the bit between his teeth.
"He went into the Masters off an injury, and he seemed to be grumpy and angry all week.
"His win last week, he is going to be in a much better place.
"Rory has got more to contend with, but he's on a golf course that he really loves."
The 53-year-old got up close and personal with McIlroy and Lowry on Tuesday as the trio explored the front nine during a practice round.
The world of golf has spent recent weeks speculating how McIlroy, liberated by landing the grand slam and without the burden of painful near-misses at the forefront of his mind, will perform in North Carolina and at future majors.
"We just don't know," Harrington admitted. "It could free him up, but a lot of people when they achieve what they want to achieve, that's the end of them.
"I don't know where Rory's goals are.
"If his goal was to make the grand slam and he doesn't have anything after that, it won't taper off this year, but it'll taper off in a couple of years.
"I asked him, way back in the day, and nine majors is his figure. That's a good sign because if he was only thinking grand slam or four majors, it would be the end of him, because it's been the end of everybody who has done that, so we can expect him to be motivated for a few more."
