Pod: I've opened floodgates

Padraig Harrington believes his victory at the Open can inspire his fellow Europeans to more major glory.

Padraig Harrington believes his victory at the Open Championship last month can inspire his fellow Europeans to more major glory. The jovial Dubliner ended an eight-year wait for a European major victory when he emerged triumphant at Carnoustie just over two weeks ago. Harrington edged out Ryder Cup colleague Sergio Garcia to claim the title and is confident that his feat will be matched with a good deal more regularity in the coming years. The Irishman takes his place in the field for this week's USPGA Championship at Southern Hills and feels a number of his European colleagues now have the belief to walk away with the season's last major. Indeed, he even jokingly suggested that he should be the man to receive the praise should Europe go on to experience a period of sustained success in golf's biggest tournaments. "I believe we're in a better place now than we were going into the Open, having a chance to win a major championship," he commented. "I think we have a number of players who have added belief. "If the floodgates open in the next couple of years, I'm going to take credit for it!"