Paul Thomas / AP

Padraig Harrington celebrates with his son Patrick after winning the 2008 British Open at the Royal Birkdale.

"He's a guy who's a late bloomer, who had to be patient and work his tail off to get where he wanted to," Rotella said. "A lot of late bloomers have a good attitude, because it's their only option."

He watches the news and reads the paper, except for the golf.

Harrington didn't believe the media when they said he wasn't good enough to be a star, and he doesn't believe them when they write about the great things he has done.

"He really evaluates himself based on, 'Did I do what I wanted to do?"' Rotella said. "And when he does that, he's happy."

Just don't get the idea Harrington has bad feelings toward the media.

During his pro-am at Torrey Pines earlier this year, he spoke of being perplexed by his colleagues who were leery of what was written or said about them. In his eyes, there is no such thing as bad press.

"All press is good," Harrington said. "Because that means people are talking about you. And as a sportsman, that's what you want."

They will be talking about him at Turnberry, whether it's his chance to keep the claret jug on his breakfast table for a third straight year or his taking the weekend off in five straight tournaments leading up to the British Open.

Harrington doesn't have all the answers, but no one has ever questioned his effort.

He recently sat down with the people who matter — wife Carolina, caddie Ronan Flood, Rotella and swing coach Bob Torrance — for what Harrington jokingly called an "intervention." It was time to put the analytical side of him on hold, and focus more on competition.

"He's in good spirits," Rotella said. "He has a very good acceptance of the game. He loves it when it's hard, and he loves it when it's easy and everything falls into his lap. But that's what loving golf is all about. He loves it all the time."