Harrington to work with new coach?

• By Jason Sobel
• Aug 7, 2011 1:48 PM ET

AKRON, Ohio – One week after cutting ties with longtime instructor Bob Torrance, Padraig Harrington may be on the verge of working with a new coach.

The three-time major champion revealed Sunday that he has been speaking about a possible partnership with Pete Cowen, who also counts Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen and Darren Clarke among his many clients.

“There’s nothing set in stone; we’re not there yet,” Harrington said after a final-round 2-over 72 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. “I asked him to have a look, so he gave me his opinion." 

Harrington intimated that he spent 90 minutes speaking with Cowen after Saturday’s third round and another hour hitting balls in front of the instructor.

If they are to start working together full-time, though, don’t expect it to happen right away.

“I realize there’s a time and a place for everything,” he said. “Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of a major isn’t that time.”

Harrington entered the Bridgestone at 128^th on the FedEx Cup points list and maintained that if he doesn’t finish in the top-125 after this week’s PGA Championship – which will be his 15^th start on the PGA Tour this year – he won’t play any further events in the U.S. for the remainder of the season, though he would consider adding more appearances in Europe.