Sentosa, October 31: Three time Major champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland has heaped praise on the Barclays Singapore Open, which he refers to as “Asia’s Major.”

On his personal tour diary, which appears online, the back-to-back British Open winner says that the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club is one of the best championship layouts in world golf.

“This event has been referred to as Asia’s Major, as the course and the tournament are set up like a Major,” he wrote. “This is one of the best courses that we play all year and the way the course was set up last year was brilliant; I really don’t think they could have set it up any better.

“This year there is a different set up – the rough is much heavier and the greens are much softer.  If you miss the fairway it is touch and go as to whether or not you will have to chip it out sideways.
 
“It is definitely set up tougher than a US Open course - the fairways are narrower and the rough just off the fairway is heavier; there is no semi rough just fairway and then rough.  There is definitely a premium on hitting the fairway this week.  That said, I still think it is a great course and it will produce a great tournament for Barclays.”

Harrington opened with a disappointing 74 and was in danger of missing the cut after reaching the turn in 37 during his second round. But he showed his undoubted class with four birdies on his back nine for a 69 and a one-over total of 143, which should see him playing the rest of the tournament.