Padraig Harrington will go into this week's Masters as the leading player in the world rankings without a major.

The Irishman's fourth place finish in the BellSouth Classic in Atlanta has taken him back to his career-high position of seventh in the standings, one place ahead of Phil Mickelson.

Former number two Mickelson, top of the American money list this year, still carries the tag of "best current player not to win a major", having had no fewer than 17 top 10 finishes in them - including three successive thirds at Augusta.

But Harrington, whether he likes it or not, now has to be considered one of the favourites.

Especially as the player immediately above him, US Open champion Jim Furyk, is not playing the Masters because of injury.

The five ahead of him who are taking part are, in order, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Davis Love and defending champion Mike Weir.

"It's a strange thing to say - one of the favourites," said the Irishman, whose near-miss this weekend came just a week after an even nearer one in the Players Championship in Florida.

He ended up a shot behind Adam Scott there for the 21st runners-up finish of his career.

"My form is good going into it. But when I think of favourite I think of somebody who is going to go out and outright win it. If my form continues hopefully I can give myself some sort of chance.

"There's a lot to learn in majors. There's a huge amount of experience involved - of the tournament itself, of all majors and of the golf course you're on.

"I think you've got to realise that you've got to play them and be in contention and be under that pressure a few times before it really happens."

One ex-champion who believes Harrington is ready to become the first European winner of any major since Paul Lawrie at the 1999 Open at Carnoustie is Jose Maria Olazabal - the player with whom Harrington was involved in controversy at the Seve Trophy last November.

The pair have spoken since about the incident where Harrington thought the Spaniard wrong to repair some marks on the line of his putt before a referee had inspected them and, while they may not be the closest of friends because of it, they have a mutual respect.

Double Masters champion Olazabal stated: "I've said for the last couple of years that Padraig has improved considerably.

"He is very consistent and does everything well. His short game might not be nice to look at, but it's effective.

"To win a major you also have to be at peace with yourself and able to take the good with the bad.

"Driving's more important now there's some rough on the course and all week long your irons have to be accurate and your short game good.

"I do think you normally have to serve an apprenticeship in the majors (Ben Curtis and Shaun Micheel showed last year it is not always necessary) and in big events like the Players Championship."

Harrington has finished second in that the past two years and while his best finish in a major are his fifth places at the 2000 US Open, 2002 Masters and 2002 Open the last of those saw him miss out on the play-off by a single stroke after a last-hole bogey.

"I am sure he has a lot of positive feelings," added Olazabal, who wishes he could say the same about himself.

An opening 65 last week proved a false dawn for the 1994 and 1999 champion. He finished 45th on three over and remains outside the top 150 on the American money list.

It did help to watch television coverage of his second victory back in his hotel one evening, but Olazabal commented: "It's nice memories, but I'd like to feel good about my game too."

This week is different to all previous ones at Augusta for Olazabal. There is no Seve Ballesteros to practise with, the 1980 and 1983 champion withdrawing two weeks ago because of back problems.

"He's going through a tough time," said Olazabal, always grateful for what his former Ryder Cup partner taught him about the playing of the course.

Now he is the wise old one looking after a younger man with equally high hopes - Sergio Garcia, of course.

Garcia is still only 24, but has fallen from fourth in the world to 48th and while he is much more comfortable with the swing changes he decided to make at the start of last year his putting is a cause for concern.

"It's the only thing he needs to get going," commented Olazabal. "He has the game to win."