Padraig Harrington described Mid Ocean Club as 'treacherous' and believes patient approach play will be the key for the elite foursome who tee off today for the start of the Grand Slam.

Harrington, who warmed up for the event during yesterday's Pro-Am, has unfinished business at the seaview course after losing out to Angel Cabrera in a play-off last year and is confident he will be in the mix by the final stages of the 36-hole showdown.

"It's a very treacherous golf course," said Harrington. "I think that's the best way to describe it. It's a golf course you have to stay very patient on. There's only four of you in there, so there's ebbs and flows.

"As long as you keep your name in the hat, you're going to have a chance going into the last couple of holes on Wednesday. Keep yourself in there and wait for your chances and hopefully hole some putts at the right time."

It has been a mentally and physically exhausting season for the Dubliner who followed up his inaugural major win at the 2007 British Open by defending his title as well as picking up the PGA Championship. He hopes to use his 'vacation' to Bermuda to recharge his batteries before the serious business starts again next season.

"Well, I brought my wife down here this time," he said. "We're having a bit of a holiday. It's such a nice place to come. The attraction is to have a bit of a holiday here this year. It's nice at this time of the year. It's been a long season and my goals have moved on at this stage. It's nice to come to a place as nice as Bermuda, where the golf is relaxed.

"It's a great sign to be here every year. It's a place you want to be. It's a fun event. We're competitive when we're out here, but it's nice and relaxed to come out here and play golf."

Harrington's Grand Slam adversary, Trevor Immelman, believes how the foursome cope with the balmy Atlantic breezes could be a deciding factor in determining the outcome of the tournament.

"I drove around a little bit yesterday. It's going to be breezy and the course is real tight with a lot of elevation changes," said Immelman. "You're going to have to be really accurate with your long game. How sharp the four of us are coming into this, I'm not too sure. You've got to be pretty accurate out here.

"I'd like to come back here every year, but I better start practising. I'm so excited to be here. Obviously, it's a dream come true for me to win a major championship and obviously, this is one of the great perks that comes with it. It's a nice vacation week and I'm kind of looking forward to it."

Masters winner Immelman said he was particularly looking forward to playing alongside his compatriot Retief Goosen.

"For me, it's like pinch-myself stuff. These are the guys I grew up watching, especially a guy like 'Goose', being another South African. Watching him contend in majors and win those US Opens.

"The first one he won, I didn't even play; I had just turned pro. I was there in Shinnecock to watch him win. It's just awesome for me. I'm 28 years old and I feel like I'm just getting started."