Harrington confident for US Open

Harrington has had three top 10 finishes at the US Open

Padraig Harrington says the experience of winning the Irish Open in May could help his chances at the US Open at Oakmont, which starts on Thursday.

Harrington beat Bradley Dredge in a play-off to become the first home winner of the Irish Open in 25 years.

"If you get in contention at the US Open, it can be quite a circus around the actual event," he said.

"That was probably the key with the Irish. There was a lot of distraction but I kept my mind focused on winning."

Harrington said it was the way he dealt with the pressure of leading rather than the victory itself which made him approach Oakmont in such a positive frame of mind.

"The key for me at the Irish Open was not necessarily winning but more so just dealing with everything that went around it," he said.

Harrington has yet to win a major but has finished in the top 10 of the US Open three times.

My game is OK, not as sharp as it has been but you just never know in golf Geoff Ogilvy

Last year at Winged Foot he tied for fifth place behind winner Geoff Ogilvy, who finished the tournament on five over par.

Having been four over with three holes to play, Harrington stood just three pars from victory, but he said he did not bear any scars from missing out.

"I had three pars to win and was very comfortable in that position," he said.

"I was playing great, felt comfortable to that stage and didn't play the last three holes pretty badly either. I'm well capable of doing it."

Defending champion Ogilvy said this year's Oakmont course was "one of the toughest" he had played and predicted the rough would have a significant say in the outcome.

"It does your wrist in if you have too many shots out of it," said the Australian.

Ogilvy and wife Julie celebrate his 2006 US Open victory

"It's thick, and in the wrong spots. In some spots, like the graduated cut, you've got a chance but the heavy stuff is pretty healthy."

The 30-year-old admitted his form had been erratic of late, but he did not think it was a cause for concern.

"It's been a little bit up and down - no spectacular weeks but no bad ones either," he said.

"My game is ok, not as sharp as it has been but you just never know in golf. Good form is never that far away."

Spain's Sergio Garcia said he needs to improve his accuracy off the tee if he is to contend for his first major at Oakmont.

"I need to straighten up a little bit with my driver this week if I want to have a chance," said the 27-year-old, who finished second to Tiger Woods at the 2002 US Open at Bethpage.

Garcia has amassed 12 top 10 finishes in 35 majors, but his ability to compete down the home stretch has come under question.

And he is at a loss to explain why he has come so close so many times without managing to win one.

"Some I've played better than others, but I try to take it every week, the same way and hopefully give it my best," he said.

"At the end of the day, that's the only thing I can do, give it my best shot and hopefully have a good chance and come out on top."