Padraig Harrington believes that Scottie Scheffler looked ‘grumpy and angry’ ahead of the PGA Championship clash with Rory McIlroy.
Harrington, who has won three major championships throughout his career, including the PGA Championship in 2008, spoke to RTE Sport ahead of the tournament.
The 53-year-old lines up alongside McIlroy, Seamus Power, Tom McKibbin and Shane Lowry, and spoke highly of the Irish competitors in the tournament, describing them as ‘great’.
Speaking to RTE Sport, he said: “Our Irish chances are great, I'm glad to be included in that 'great'.
Shane Lowry (left), Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington (right) will be joined by Seamus Power and Tom McKibbin
PA
"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.”
McIlroy came out victorious in The Masters last month, his fifth major, completing the career grand slam.
The 36-year-old defeated Justin Rose in the play-off.
JUST IN: Gary Lineker called 'disrespectful' and 'not a nice man' as former Premier League boss fumes
Rory McIlroy won The Masters last month
ReutersScheffler, who has won The Masters on two occasions, was ‘grumpy and angry’ throughout the Masters week, according to Harrington.
"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."
After a multitude of near misses, McIlroy finally took him the trophy. However, Harrington was unsure whether the victory might push McIlroy to extend his legacy, or be ‘the end of him’.
"We just don't know. 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.
Padraig Harrington described Scottie Scheffler as 'grumpy and angry' during the Masters week
Getty
"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.
“It’s been the end of everybody who has done that, so we can expect him to be motivated for a few more."
Despite competing against McIlroy, who the competition’s favourite to win, Scheffler with the 'bit between his teeth’ and world No.3 Xander Schauffele, Harrington was confident in his own abilities.
"I always believe I can win. Why not?” he asked.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
"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."
