Padraig Harrington

Harrington's game has been in decline for the past few years, but his drop-off last season caught just about everyone off guard. Though his game isn't going to suddenly resemble his major-winning form again, he should be much better this season. As far as his number of starts, he's still a huge name, so he'll find plenty of opportunities throughout the year.

Harrington started the 2013 in style with a top-10 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, but it was all down hill after that. Actually, it wasn't all down hill, he did find two more top-10s along the way, but for the most part, his 2013 season was a disappointment. Harrington is certainly capable of much better play than he showed in 2013, but he's no longer the guy who won multiple majors. If you are looking for that guy, you'll be disappointed, but with that said, he still has enough upside to warrant a look for salary cap leagues. In draft leagues he should go in the 90-100 range, but could go earlier based on his name.

Undoubtedly, Harrington's 2011 season was a fluke. Whether his 2012 season is more indicative of his skills is the question. All was not rosy for Harrington last year, though. While he doubled his earnings from the previous season, he only managed three top-10s and only one top-5. It looks like Harrington's best days are behind him, but he's still capable of producing at a fairly high level, just not high enough to justify a selection at his price. In draft leagues, Harrington should go in the sixth round.

arrington, just like fellow Open Champion Stewart Cink, found himself in a rut last season from which he could not pull out. Harrington is simply too talented to find himself struggling to retain his card each year, and a bounceback is almost certain this season. The only question is whether he can get back to his previous heights, back when he was winning multiple major championships. While Harrington isn't likely to return to the glory days this season, he surely will improve significantly on his 2010 numbers.

Last season was undoubtedly a setback for Harrington after three consecutive years of $2.5 million in earnings. More troubling than last season's earnings (less than $1.4 million) was his play during the majors. Harrington missed the cut in three of four majors last season, including the British Open where he's a two-time champion. The reason behind the setback is unclear, but it's hard to imagine Harrington's struggles will continue this season. One solid finish at a major would almost deliver a break-even return. Harrington ranked 21st or better in putts per green three of the last four seasons.

Harrington had nowhere to go but down a year after winning two major championships, yet he finished 2009 on fire and comes into 2010 with a lot of momentum. Although Harrington finished strong last year, he struggled through the first seven months. That is not likely to happen again this season, which makes Harrington a trendy pick in this spot. Like many Europeans, Harrington is unlikely to play 30 PGA Tour events, but he'll appear in enough to post above-average production a couple times per month through the heart of the season. Harrington slipped from fourth at the end of 2008, to fifth in the final 2009 Official World Golf Rankings.

Harrington had quite the year in 2008, capturing the last two majors of the season and cracking the four million dollar mark. Even with this success, he only played in 15 PGA Tour events lasts year, meaning it will take another year similar to last to exceed or even match his production from last season. Harrington is not a good salary cap option, but he should be considered in the first round of a draft league. Just keep in mind that you'll only have him once or twice a month.

Padraig Harrington finally broke through and won "the big one" last year. Not only did he win his first major, but he captured the one most coveted among the Euros, the British Open. After players win their first major they usually go one of two ways, they get content with their accomplishments and are rarely heard from again, or they step their game up even more with the added confidence boost. Harrington should fall into the later category, but his performance surrounding the British Open last year is a little worrisome. Other than his win at the Open, he finished in the top-10 only twice on the PGA Tour. He'll have to step up his game to match his production from last year, and he should be able to do that. Harrington developed shingles in mid-January 2008 and has recovered as of mid-February 2008.

By his standards, Harrington had an off year in 2006. Seriously off if you consider that he missed the cut at British Open and the PGA Championship. Harrington played the minimum number of events in 2006 to retain his card. Look for the same in 2007, but more production. In salary cap leagues he's a great pick. In other leagues he's probably a top-40 pick.

Harrington's 2005 was similar to Justin Leonard's. Two wins and little else. That's not to belittle the accomplishment of winning two times in one year. In almost every case that would be considered a successful year. But when it comes to elite players you expect them to be in contention more often. In Harrington's case, he only played in 15 events, so four top-10s isn't so glaring. Two wins in 15 events is pretty darn good. When considering Harrington, look at the number of events he'll play. Last year was his first as a full-time member on the PGA Tour. He played in 15 events as a full-time member, which means 15 is the max. And $2.6 million for a player who will tee it up only 15 times is a little steep.

Watch him at The Player's Championship, where he's finished second the last two years. It's just a matter of time before this talented Euro starts winning on American soil.

Harrington finished third in the Order of Merit on the European Tour and also did well in the majors, with a top ten in the US Open and top 30 finish at the British and PGA Championship. That's a far cry from his 2002 season when he had top 10 finishes in three majors, but he'll still be one of the top European players to stick on your roster for big U.S. tournaments.