By Steve Scott, golf correspondent

PADRAIG HARRINGTON finally got away from his celebration party marking his retention of the Open Championship title at 4am, but the teetotaller had a clear enough head to map out what he wants next from an already spectacular career.

The 36-year-old’s back-to-back Open victories have left him regarded as Ireland’s greatest-ever sportsman, an accolade the Dubliner —who changed his name to the Gaelic from the English Patrick when a youngster—views with particular pride.

He is not content, however, to stop there.

“My goal was to win another major and I’m thrilled it’s come along so quickly, but I have to look forward,” he said at Royal Birkdale yesterday.

“There are some exclusive clubs in golf that I am going to focus on joining. Three majors first, and also a different one.

“There are loads of levels to move up to, and I must keep pushing on. No matter whether I succeed or not, you need clear and attainable goals to retain the intensity.”

Harrington moved to third in the world rankings behind Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, and the £750,000 winner’s cheque ends all doubt about his participation in September’s Ryder Cup, having lain outside the team rankings for much of the season.

“I checked my computer while I was eating my breakfast this morning and it is nice that someone else has to worry about that now,” he said.

“The Ryder Cup is great once you’re in the team, but when you are not it’s a tough process getting there. Now I can relax and enjoy the other guys playing their hearts out to get in.”

He will now take time off before heading to the USA for the Bridgestone WGC event in Akron next week, following that with the US PGA at Oakland Hills near Detroit.

“Last year the PGA came on me far too quickly and it was a bit of a blur,” admitted Harrington. “This is more satisfying, I don’t believe I’ll be as mentally hit by the win this time.”

The huge Open prize fund has shaken up the Ryder Cup race, with Harrington and Henrik Stenson, tied third at Birkdale, jumping to first and third in the rankings.

Sergio Garcia has dropped out of the qualification slots while Justin Rose is now in the precarious 10th position, with Open runner-up Ian Poulter entering the reckoning at 12th.

Colin Montgomerie stays at 15th with Paul Casey in 19th.

All this means skipper Nick Faldo will be nervously watching the final six weeks before the team is selected at Gleneagles at the end of the Johnnie Walker Championship next month.