Harrington to change his swing

By Norman Dabell

BALTRAY, Ireland (Reuters) - Three-times major champion Padraig Harrington is changing the swing that earned him victories in the British Open and U.S. PGA Championship last year.

"I don't want to play like I played last year," the Irishman told a news conference on the eve of his national open at the County Louth course on Wednesday. "I want to play better."

Harrington's comment startled reporters but the 37-year-old world number eight added: "That's my nature. I've been trying to improve every year since I first started playing at even nine or 10 years of age.

"The reason I improve is I actually stop and start re-building every year and change things," said the Irish Open's highest ranked player.

"I think guys who stay constant are on a slippery slope to retirement. It's all about pushing yourself to get better.

"I've done this every year. The difference is now I'm in the spotlight.

"You win some majors and there's another level of expectation."

Harrington, having slipped four places on the world rankings this season with a string of indifferent results including only tied for 35th at the U.S. Masters, said current changes had yet to reap results.