Harrington has won the Open and USPGA Championship this year

Triple major winner Padraig Harrington is among 10 Ryder Cup stars taking part at the Dunhill Links Championship starting in Scotland on Thursday.

The Irishman tops Europe's Order of Merit money lists, with Englishman Lee Westwood, who is also playing, second.

Harrington will make his first appearance in Britain since winning the USPGA as he bids to win Europe's top golf honour for the second time.

The 37-year-old has admitted he is feeling exhausted after a long season.

But despite his exertions clearly taking their toll, Harrington is eager to extend his lead over Westwood at a championship that spans three of Scotland's most famous golf courses - St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.

"I would never not be here. I'd crawl over to this tournament," said Harrington, who won the Order of Merit title in 2006.

"I was low in antioxidants, my white blood cells were too active, basically showing that I'm fatigued."

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Paul Casey, Soren Hansen, Miguel Angel Jiminez, Robert Karlsson, Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Oliver Wilson and Westwood will also be in action alongside defending champion Nick Dougherty, Ernie Els, Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie.

The tournament will also feature celebrity amateurs including actors Hugh Grant, Samuel L Jackson and Luke Wilson.

Harrington won the Open and USPGA Championship earlier this year and will be competing in his first event after a disappointing Ryder Cup campaign, where he won just a half point from his four matches.

He has accumulated �1,861,048 so far, with Westwood on �1,679,965 and Sweden's Robert Karlsson in third on �1,578,719.

Westwood was runner-up at last week's British Masters but still has good opportunities to narrow Harrington's lead before the end of season Volvo Masters from 30 October to 2 November.

"I think the Order of Merit is the prime reason why I'm trying a little bit harder this week because I know this is a good chance for me," added Harrington.

"I've got two tournaments left, this and the Volvo Masters. I think I've got to play really well in one of them in order to win the Order of Merit.

"If I can win one of the two, I think that more or less guarantees me the order of merit."