Sweet and slow suits Harrington

Retief Goosen is playing in the match ahead of Padraig Harrington in today's Madrid Open first round and woe betide him if he holds up the Irishman.

The 33-year-old South African, last year's European No1 ahead of Harrington and £33,000 in front of him atop the table as this year's race enters the home straight, indulged in a little gentle goading yesterday by labelling his rival "definitely the slowest player on the European tour".

"Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. He's no boy racer himself," countered Harrington, whose decision to post a late entry to next week's Italian Open had Goosen claiming he was "getting desperate".

Harrington, who opened with a 63 here last year, insists he has had only one official "bad time": "That was in this year's US Masters and I still dispute it.

"I've changed my whole routine to avoid being on the clock but it's something I have to live with. Even if I sprinted round nothing would change.

"I'm sure Retief's tongue is in his cheek over my decision to play in Italy - of course I'm desperate to win the order of merit. But whatever happens here and there it will come down to the following week's Volvo Masters, where there's three times as much prize money at stake."

Even if he wins the £145,000 jackpot in Madrid, where he triumphed two years ago, Harrington would probably not bypass the Italian championship. "The further ahead I could get the better."

Ernie Els, £4,000 ahead of Harrington in second place in the money list, is not currently entered for the Volvo Masters but could yet have a say in the championship race should he change his mind.

Harrington is fully expecting his pace of play to come under scrutiny in Spain, where crowd distractions are the norm, especially when you are partnering Severiano Ballesteros.

But he takes a positive view. "It's the second year running I've played with him the first two days and it's a pleasure," Harrington said. "He's one of the truly great players and I'm glad of the experience having never seen him in his heyday.

"He may be in his twilight years now but plenty of pros would gladly pay to sample the Seve magic."