Harrington in Hazeltine mode after Firestone meltdown

CHASKA, Minnesota (Reuters) - Padraig Harrington says he has buried the bitter disappointment of his stumbling finish at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and is in optimistic mood for his title defense at this week's U.S. PGA Championship.

The Irishman had to settle for second place behind Tiger Woods at Firestone Country Club on Sunday after squandering a one-stroke lead with an ugly triple-bogey at the 16th.

"The great thing about golf, there's always next week," triple major winner Harrington told reporters at Hazeltine National Golf Club on Tuesday. "That's the fantastic thing.

"I didn't sleep great Sunday night. I was tired but I struggled to get to sleep and I woke up early still thinking about it.

"But the minute I hit the practice round here I'm thinking about the PGA (Championship). It's all about the PGA."

Seeking his first victory this year on the PGA or European tours, Harrington's title bid at Firestone unraveled after he found the right rough off the tee on the par-five 16th.

He ended up in tangly grass behind the green for his third shot before his fourth bounced across the putting surface into a pond.

While Harrington wound up with an eight, Woods birdied the hole after hitting an exquisite eight-iron to a foot, effectively being handed the title as he benefited from a four-shot swing.

HANDLING DISAPPOINTMENT

Asked how he handled the disappointment, Harrington replied: "You talk about it with people close to you who have a slightly different understanding.

"Whether that's my family, my caddie Ronan (Flood) and (sports psychologist) Bob Rotella ... you talk about it and you analyze it and take the positives from it. I can see myself becoming a better player because of it and you move on."

Harrington, known for his workaholic approach to the game, has spent the last eight months refining his downswing.

Although the double British Open champion does not expect the entire process to be finished until early next year, he has high hopes for this week.

"About six weeks ago I kind of figured out ultimately the move I was looking for to fix the problem I had," he said.

"I haven't quite corrected it or done enough work in that period of time but it's put my mind at rest. I'm focusing more on playing golf and that's what you would have seen last week.

"While the move should improve my game as I go on for the rest of the year, I would think it will be through the winter before I start to really have it grooved in.

"But I'm quite capable of performing well enough without that move to win this week," added Harrington, who won at Oakland Hills by two shots last year.

The Irishman has been grouped with four-times winner Woods and 2002 champion Rich Beem for the first two rounds at Hazeltine, starting on Thursday.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)