FAVOURITE: Padraig Harrington of Ireland testing his technique yesterday.

BARBADOS is a home away from home for Padraig Harrington.

The Irish legend has returned to the island for this week's World Golf Championship Barbados World Cup where he will be joined by Paul McGinley as they go after the US$1.4 million top prize.

Yesterday morning, before the pair hit the greens for their practice session, Harrington told MIDWEEK NATION of his love for Barbados and his great desire to win on Sunday.

"I'm quite familiar with the island, actually. I have been coming here every year and I have been coming here for the last ten years," the three-time Ryder Cup winner said.

"I had my honeymoon here ten years ago, so I know this golf course very well. I play socially here every year and I have always enjoyed the course, so it will be interesting to play it in a competition during a serious event." The 35-year-old said the tag of favourite does not bother him too much, and his aim was simply to win the top purse.

Pressure

"I don't think we can do anything about that (favourite). Whether I like it or don't like it that doesn't really matter. Myself and Paul, we're a very strong team and once we play well we can win," he said yesterday as admirers jostled for photographs.

"There is pressure every week from our own expectations and we always put ourselves under pressure, because we know the way we play, we can win this event."

He noted that whenever he takes to the course there is pressure and this week's team event will be no different, as he looks to cap a year which has been the highlight of his distinguished career.

Recently he secured the European Order of Merit in dramatic fashion at the season-ending Volvo Masters in Spain. He is also remembered for holing the winning putt at The Belfry in the 2002 Ryder Cup.

"We hope there would be no barrier to us playing well this week. We won't be looking over our shoulders at anyone," he said.