Padraig Harrington knows he'll be on Tiger Woods' hit list next season after stealing the American's PGA Tour crown.

But the reigning Open and US PGA champion is still looking forward to the challenge as he bids to move up to the next level in the game.

After taking over from Woods as PGA Tour Player of the Year, Harrington said: “The Player of the Year Award is very close to Tiger's heart. But when somebody pips Tiger for something, he pats them on the back, says well done and I’m coming to get you next time.

Padraig Harrington racked up another victory over Tiger Woods to become the first European winner of the PGA Tour’s Player of the Year award,

And the Dubliner, 37, confessed that it felt as good as winning a Major to come out on top in a vote by the US tour players and deny the injured Woods his tenth Jack Nicklaus Trophy win in the last 12 seasons.

Padraig Harrington had a hot tip for his fans after landing two more end-of-season awards - “Get your money on me for the US Open.”

He’s the hot favourite to grab his EIGHTH award of the year and see off Woods again by becoming the first European to be named PGA Tour Player of the Year today (Tues).

“Wild Thing” John Daly smashed a spectator's camera into a tree as he crashed to an opening 78 in the Australian Open.

But playing partner Darren Clarke believes that that controversial American would be a huge draw if he lands an invite for next year’s new-look Irish Open at Mount Juliet.

Six years after leaving Australia in disgrace after dumping his putter in a lake, Daly saw red when a golf fan tried to take his picture from close range.

Sergio Garcia has confessed that he wanted to smash Padraig Harrington over the head with his putter after his US PGA loss at Oakland Hills.

But according to Harrington, Europe’s big two have finally managed to bury the hatchet after years of tension.

The Dubliner denied Garcia the 2007 Open at Carnoustie when he triumphed in sudden-death and then snatched the US PGA from under the Spaniard’s nose this summer in another tense finish.

Relations between the two had already been frosty after a series of incidents, but Harrington has revealed that the pair managed to break the ice during September’s Ryder Cup clash at Valhalla.

Padraig Harrington could face some world class rivals in next year’s cash-strapped Irish PGA Championship.

The event is currently limited to Irish-born tour players and members of the Irish Region of the PGA.

But Irish PGA administrator Michael McCumiskey does not rule out a move to allow tour stars like Adam Scott, Phil Mickelson or even Tiger Woods to get some vital links practice the week before next year’s Open at Turnberry.

Already searching for a sponsor, McCumiskey said: “The championship has been around since 1907 and it is not in my remit to change the format of it. But I would never say never.

Padraig Harrington will be under doctors’ orders this week as he prepares his Major Championship masterplan for 2009.

The Dubliner, 37, will sit down with his team of medical and technical gurus in Los Angeles for a brainstorming session that he hopes will give him an edge over rivals like Tiger Woods in his bid to complete the so-called "Paddy Slam".

And Dr Liam Hennessy, the expert in sports physiology who oversees Harrington’s physical preparation, is hoping that they can come up with some new ideas that will give Ireland’s triple Major winner an advantage over the competition when he cranks up the machine in the New Year.

Paul McGinley and Graeme McDowell believe they have the chemistry to round off Ireland’s amazing 2008 season with victory in the $5m (€3.9m) Omega Mission Hills World Cup.

The Irish aces had a 100 percent record when they teamed up under Seve Ballesteros in the 2006 Royal Trophy in Thailand. And they will be hoping they can repeat of that kind of form and end Ireland’s record breaking golfing year by pocketing the $1.7m (€1.32 m) team prize on the Olazabal Course at Shenzen in China.

Red-hot Rory McIlroy is gunning for his maiden European Tour win after scorching into contention with a six-under par 64 in the UBS Hong Kong Open.

Victory would catapult McIlroy, 19, into the world’s top 50 and next year’s Masters at Augusta. And he feel ready to finish the job after notching up a confidence-boosting five top-10s from his last seven starts.

Nick Faldo would love a second bite of the cherry as Ryder Cup captain and the chance to lead out star pupils like Rory McIlroy.

Europe’s defeated Ryder Cup skipper will play for the first time in 12 months when he tees it up alongside former Faldo Series graduate McIlroy and Irish World Cup pair Graeme McDowell and Paul McGinley in this week’s UBS Hong Kong Open.

Padraig Harrington confessed that he was “inspired” and “fascinated” by Munster’s epic clash with New Zealand at Thomond Park.

And while Ireland’s triple Major winner never got the chance to shine at rugby, he can identify with the pressures faced by goal kickers and the never-say-die spirit of Munster rugby.

Jonny Caldwell is ready to battle through the mental pain barrier to secure his European Tour card in Spain. Live scoring

But like Michael Hoey and Mick McGeady, he knows he will have to dig deep to finish in the magical top 30 and ties after the final round of the European Tour Qualifying School.

Desperate Darren Clarke is planning a return to the belly putter in next month’s Australian Open.

The Ulsterman, 40, is furious over his lack of success on the greens and plans to spend the next fortnight experimenting with the long putters in the 200-strong collection in his garage.

Michael Hoey is relishing his stress-free start to the European Tour Qualifying School Finals in Spain. Live scoring

The six-round battle to finish in the top-30 and ties is widely regarded as one of the toughest weeks in golf.

But after adding a three-under 69 to his opening 68, Hoey is delighted to be tied for sixth place with compatriot Jonny Caldwell on six-under par.

Super cool Jonny Caldwell led the way as Ireland’s poker of aces made a scorching start in the European Tour Qualifying School Finals in Spain. Live scoring

Walker Cup ace Caldwell only joined the paid ranks when he guaranteed himself Challenge Tour status by coming through Stage Two of the Q-School last Saturday.

Teen tycoon Rory McIlroy can take his career earnings beyond one million euro in this week’s Barclays Singapore Open.

But the Holywood idol, 19, is more interested in points than prize money as he continues his meteoric rise up the world rankings.