Padraig Harrington is setting his sights on the 2008 PGA Championship after winning his second consecutive Open Championship title on Sunday.

Having dealt with an injured right wrist that had threatened his participation in the tournament, and some of the toughest course conditions he will ever have to face, Harrington feels that he has the beating of the best.

The source of the wrist injury that nearly scuppered the Irishman’s 2008 Open Championship campaign may go some way to explaining why he is set to become a dominant figure in world golf.

Harrington injured his wrist while performing wrist strengthening exercises in which involved driving his club into a heavy bag. The exercise is part of his endeavours to strengthen his arms to the point where he can drive using only one hand.

This exercise paid off in spectacular fashion at Royal Birkdale on Sunday as the strength in his left hand helped him stay on top of his injury. Harrington eventually put in a brilliant driving performance on the back 9 where he carded 32 to take the title from his nearest rivals Ian Poulter and Greg Norman.

Harrington will now enter the 2008 PGA Championship as a favourite in betting markets, and with his confidence at a peak may be worth a punt in ante-post betting markets to take his first major victory outside of the United Kingdom.