Padraig Harrington keen to build on Honda win at Valspar Championship

Image: Harrington: Ended a seven-year drought on the PGA Tour

Padraig Harrington is keen to "kick on" from his Honda Classic win when he features at this week's Valspar Championship.

The Irishman returns to action for the first time since his play-off triumph at PGA National, which ended a seven-year winless run on the PGA Tour stretching back to the 2008 US PGA Championship.

Victory parachuted the 43-year-old into the world's top 100 and secured his return to next month's Masters, with Harrington believing his worst performances are now behind him. 

Speaking on his official website, Harrington said: "It feels great to have won and now that I have done so I have allowed myself to think of the things that come with it, the Masters, the Players, WGC-Bridgestone and I am exempt for three years on the PGA Tour, but above all that the confidence a win brings,

"It has been tough at times but the last couple of months, with my two wins (he won in Indonesia in December), have made it worthwhile.

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"I never doubted myself, I know a lot of people did and many asked me why I would do things differently, but then that wouldn't be me.

"I don't feel any different now that I have won, as I always felt that the win was around the corner.

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"I feel that I have found the mental solution that I have been searching for and that I will kick on from here. I know that it won't work all of the time, but that some of the time it is good enough."

Harrington has been paired with world No 2 Jordan Spieth and former Masters champion Adam Scott for the first two rounds in Florida, with Scott looking to build on a joint-fourth finish at last week’s WGC-Cadillac Championship on Sunday in his first start of the season.

Justin Rose, Ian Poulter and Luke Donald also feature in a high-profile field, which also includes world No 3 Henrik Stenson and Hyundai Tournament of Champions winner Patrick Reed.

Watch the Valspar Championship live from Thursday on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf.

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