Padraig Harrington Wins The Open Championship

Becomes First Irishman To Triumph There Since 1947

By Denis O'Brien

What a day for Padraig Harrington as he won his first 'Major'. What a day for Irish sport!

Harrington became the first Irish man since Fred Daly in 1947 to win the British Open Golf Tournament last Sunday at Carnoustie in Scotland, but my God, there were 4 million Irish hearts-in-mouths across Ireland after the dramatic finish. At the 18th Hole when Harrington found water twice when leading by one, it literally sent the whole country into a state of extreme anxiety. Then add in the epic playoff battle with Sergio Garcia later and it was all very much of the nerve-racking variety. The show while brilliant was not for the faint of heart and t'would be hard to go through it all again it must be said.

But at the end of this historic day in Irish sport it was all worth it with such a brilliant performance from Padraig Harrington. And add in young Rory McIlroy from Hollywood, Co Down, getting the best amateur prize it truly was great day to be alive and Irish.

Harrigton had started off his final round at 3-Under and quietly began to creep up the leaderboard chasing Garcia the leader who was on 9-Under. Tiger fell way, so did Ernie Els when it looked for a while that he might make a challenge.

Another to make a move was Argentinian Andres Romero who took the lead on the 15th hole and was 9-Under and two ahead of both Harrington and Garcia in second place respectively. However, the dreaded 17th and 18th were left to play for Romero with Garcia and Harrington behind him. Romero found the water and out of boards and proceeded to drop three shots on the two holes and fell back to finish 6-Under with Garcia and Harrington both on 7-Under left to fight it out to the end.

Harrington holed a great 15-footer for eagle on the 14th to take the outright lead. Heading into the 18th he was still one up on Garcia but then disaster struck as his drive finished in the water after nearly making it over the Burn bridge. His next shot brought more shock as it too ended in the water just short of the green and the look on Padraig's face said it all - he was totally shell shocked and thought his chance had gone.

He made a good up and down to make a double bogey and now Garcia only needed a par on the last to win. Garcia on the 18th green lipped out for his chance to win his first major and he was devastated. Harrington had got a reprieve, as there now was a four-hole playoff.

He won the first hole when sinking a brilliant 8-foot putt while Garcia bogeyed. Harrington now led by two and was back on track. Garcia nearly holed on the next Par 3 when his shot hit the flag and it stayed with two strokes in it when they returned to the dreaded 18th. Harrington played the hole well but was just off the green in three, Garcia was on in two.

Padraig's par putt went four feet past while Garcia's effort just inched left of the hole.

However, Harrington then holed out and the title was his. Afterwards he could hardly talk such was his emotion.

"It's a lot to take in," he gasped.

"I think if I'd lost it would have been very hard to take but I didn't allow myself to get down about taking six at the last.

"I've come a long way. When I turned pro I'd have settled for being a good journeyman golfer. It's been great being named as someone who could win a major but that brings its own pressure," said the overjoyed new Open Champion.