Padraig Harrington says it was the fear of failure that pushed him on to become the first European in 102 years to win the Open Championship for a second successive year.

He may have begun the week doubting whether he would even be able to defend his title because of a wrist injury, but he ended it by lifting golf's most famous trophy and in doing so, overcame his battle with self-doubt.

On a tough course in extreme, blustery conditions, Harrington came through with a round of 69 for a three-over-par total of 283 and victory by four shots over Ian Poulter.

"Fear has always been a motivator in my golf," Harrington said. "After winning a major last year, my biggest fear was not to go down the road of guys who have won majors and struggled to keep the intensity after that.

"Fear is a big part of me, I would like to say that I have all the trust and faith in myself and my game and can be nice and relaxed but that's not me. Fear pushes me on, so I have to work with it and use it.

"I have spent some time talking with Bob Rotella about it, because it can be quite a negative emotion to use. Certainly for the first eight or nine years of my career, everytime I took my winter break I was anxious that I would come out and my game would still be there.

"If you look at my results they are always good at the start of the year, because I am anxious to get out there and prove myself again. I think I have become more comfortable in terms that a certain level of my game would be there.

As a result of his victory Harrington has become the new world No 3, moving some three places higher than his previous best ranking. His performance at Birkdale has also guaranteed his place in the Europe Ryder Cup team that will take on the United States at Valhalla, in Kentucky, in September.

"When I was sitting eating my porridge this morning, I had a check on the computer to see who was doing what," he said. "It's great to know that I am in, and see that someone else is on the bubble.

"The Ryder Cup is very entertaining when you're in the team. When you're not, it's a tough process. Now that I am there I can enjoy the next month and I can watch the other guys play their hearts out to get into the team.

The contrast with his victory at Carnoustie could not have been greater. A year ago he had surrendered an apparently unassailable lead on a dramatic 72nd hole and was left to rely on Sergio Garcia missing a putt for the title before he could finally win the championship in a play-off.

By contrast his passage down the 18th at Royal Birkdale was serenity itself, and the Irishman admitted his second Open triumph had meant even more to him than the first. "It did start to sink in a bit during the night last night," Harrington said. "I think the first one was slightly unexpected the way it happened, it was very exciting.

"But his time round it was a more determined effort, more satisfying and in many ways more rewarding because to do it back to back is very special.

"To have two majors is very special. But what I take most from it is going out in the last group and performing when I needed to and playing the golf in the final round of a major when it's put up to you is a nice feeling and a confidence booster. "

Harrington celebrated long into the night with friends and family and revealed the Claret Jug was put to good use. "There was a good crowd in there last night," he said. "I think I was last out of the place at four in the morning, so we had a very good night, a lot of friends there.

"The first drink out of the trophy was John Smith's, like it was last year but I did empty the Claret Jug at the end of the night and there was some claret in it, so the right drink got in there at the end of the night."