LONDON (PA) -- Padraig Harrington's upper hand over Sergio Garcia in the majors could be about to change.

That is the view of former British Open and U.S. Open champion Tony Jacklin, who rates the 28-year-old Spaniard "the best ball-striker out there."

"I think Padraig has done incredibly well to win three majors, but I would be more excited about Sergio," said Jacklin. "Obviously we know about him being fragile with the putter. But he's improved that this year, and I would be disappointed if he didn't win four majors.

"Every week he plays he is there," he added. "The power in his swing is unbelievable -- and it's controlled. I'm a great Sergio man."

Harrington's first major victory in the 2007 British Open at Carnoustie came when he beat Garcia in a playoff, and they clashed again at the 2008 PGA Championship, when the 37-year-old Dubliner produced a dazzling finish to become the first European to take that title since 1930.

With Garcia now up to second in the world ranking behind Tiger Woods, a rivalry between Garcia and Harrington is now clearly established -- and Harrington added fuel to that by admitting recently that they had nothing in common apart from their jobs.

"We all need a rivalry," said Jacklin. "There's nothing wrong with that."

Both Harrington and Garcia have the U.S. Open on their wish list for 2009. Jacklin remains the last European winner of that big event, and his amazing seven-stroke victory in 1970 came while he was also the reigning British Open champion.

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