Harrington Is a Major Winner

When Irish America featured Padraig Harrington on the cover of the October/ November 2007 issue after his first win of a major at the British Open, it was to celebrate one Irishman's entry into the elite club of major winners.

A little over 12 months later, Harrington moved into the super league of that club, by not only repeating the British Open triumph but also winning the U.S. PGA three weeks later at Oakland Hills in Detroit. Only Tiger Woods has matched this feat in the same year this century.

If Harrington's second British Open win was due to a dream back-nine performance, his win at the PGA was testament to his mental fortitude. With leader Sergio Garcia playing beautiful golf in his final round, it was Harrington who willed himself to victory. The 37-year-old Dubliner kept close early in the round with amazing bunker play before holing huge putts in the final holes to clinch victory.

"I love the idea of the back nine of a major on a Sunday," Harrington said after winning the PGA. "I love it so much that I'm actually disappointed I'm seven months away from the next major, and I don't know what I'm going to do.

"I've really focused hard on the majors the last two years. My whole schedule is built around majors. And definitely I've turned up at other events, and unless I get into contention, you know, sometimes it feels like a race, like a sprint. Whereas a major feels like a marathon.

"I really do like the fact that no other European has won two majors consecutively, because obviously I hold a lot of European players who I grew up watching in high esteem. To believe that I achieved something that they hadn't is very special."

Harrington now takes his place among the greatest Irish sports figures of all time, and praise for his accomplishment was effusive.

"Coming so soon after his brilliant win in the British Open, this was a fantastic achievement by Padraig," said Irish President Mary McAleese of him winning the Wanamaker trophy. "Padraig just goes from strength to strength. The whole country is immensely proud of him."

Taoiseach Brian Cowen also congratulated the Dubliner. "To win two British Opens back to back is quite an achievement, but to win two majors back to back is absolutely incredible. To become the first Irishman to win a major in the U.S. ensures his place in sporting history and legend. Yet again Padraig's performance on the back nine of a major epitomized everything about the man - skill, courage, determination and sheer class."

- Declan O'Kelly