Harrington, at world number nine Europe's current top player, is about to become a father for the first time, but after the latest scan he decided to make the trip to the final major of the season at Oak Hill in Rochester, New York.

"I'll only turn my mobile phone off during my rounds," said the Irishman today. "Caroline is due next Monday, but the doctor was of the opinion last Friday that if anything it will be late.

"We decided there was no point waiting at home. The worst thing would be sitting there all the way through the event and nothing happens.

"It's a big moment and it was a difficult decision, but hopefully it's the right decision - and hopefully all will go well regardless of whether I'm there or not."

Harrington accepts he might miss the birth in pursuit of his first major title.

"If I was to get a call on Saturday and I'm doing well I'm going to hang around," he added.

The Dubliner is one of a massive 29 Europeans in the field - it would have been 32 but for the withdrawals of Britain's last three major winners.

Nick Faldo's third wife Valerie gave birth to their first child (Faldo's fourth) two weeks ago, Ian Woosnam's father died and Paul Lawrie is suffering from a neck problem.

Faldo and Woosnam were both members of the winning Ryder Cup side at Oak Hill eight years ago, leaving only Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer as the only two survivors of that team present to try to end a wait for a European winner of the US PGA that stretches all the way back to Tommy Armour in 1930.

Ben Curtis' victory in the Open last month from the depths of 396th in the world has everybody in the field thinking that this could be their week, however.

"Ben came out of the blue to most of us, but I think the reality now is that young players don't think they have to serve an apprenticeship any more," stated Harrington, who missed out on an Open play-off by one shot last year and also has fifth place finishes in the Masters and US Open to his name.

"Obviously it was a bigger stage, but Ben probably knew how to win and when you've won before you can get over it. Most players don't believe you've got to lose some before you win now - there's no respect for your elders any more.

"I don't see why Europeans can't win here. This is not familiar ground for anybody."

The "Tiger Woods factor" is not so intimidating now either, Harrington believes.

Woods' last major win - his eighth - was the US Open last year and since then there have been four four-time winners in Rich Beem, Mike Weir, Jim Furyk and Curtis.

Asked if the gap was closing Harrington smiled and said it was a leading question.

But then he said: "Yes. I think attitudes have changes. Players are just playing their own game more and putting the emphasis back on Tiger. Before there was an attitude that you had to play really well to beat him."

Since finishing joint fourth in the Open - he lost his opening shot and started with a triple bogey - Woods has abandoned his Nike driver and gone back to a Titleist favourite he used for the previous four years.

He was second with it in his only tournament since and commented: "It's like going back to an old putter you feel good with. You feel a bit nostalgic and it's fun going back to something you've had success with.

"Not that it's been a bad year - Christ, I've won four times - but I've not quite got over the hurdle in the majors. I've come close and had a chance in each one going into the weekend.

"That's the way it goes. It's not like I'm not trying out there and sometimes you can't quite get it done. But my mindset has not changed."

On chasing Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 majors he added that if he keeps putting himself in contention then he reckons he can win "my share and hopefully it will be enough."

Woods has never played Oak Hill - the Ryder Cup was the year before he turned professional - and after practising said: "The rough is up and they're raking it up to make it even tougher. It's nearly eight inches in spots.

"It's playing very long and it's a heck of a test as soft as it is."