Irish golfer Padraig Harrington moved up to the top of Europe’s Ryder Cup rankings as he won the USPGA Championship at Oakland Hills. This means that the 36-year-old has won his last two majors after he emerged victorious in the British Open at Royal Birkdale.
Padraig Harrington held off the challenge of fellow European Sergio Garcia and American Ben Curtis to win by two shots. It was a tense and entertaining final day as these three golfers were involved in a race for the title. It was great to watch, that I have to say.
At the beginning of the fourth round, Padriag Harrington trailed Ben Curtis by three shots. However, he and Sergio Garcia led the way after 13 holes, with Ben Curtis still fancying his chances of victory. Sergio Garcia led after 15, but when he hit water on the 16th, he was pegged back and the three leaders were inseparable once again. It was very tense tough at this stage.
Padraig Harrington has a habit of recording birdies at crucial times and he did so again at the 17th. He hit a superb putt from eight feet to lead by one-shot going to the last hole. Then, as Sergio Garcia bogeyed the last, Padriag Harrington sunk a fabulous par putt from 18 feet to secure the title. Ben Curtis had previously bogeyed the 17th to all but end his chances of victory.
The most significant aspect of this win, in my view, is that Padraig Harrington became the first European to win the USPGA since Tommy Armour’s in 1930. That is a very long time and is an achievement that shouldn’t be underestimated.
In what has been a fantastic few weeks for Padraig Harrington, he also joined Tiger Woods, Nick Price and Walter Hagen as the only players to win the final two majors of the year. Excellent stuff from the Irishman.
Despite losing out to Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia and Ben Curtis do have reason to be cheerful. They have both secured their place in September’s Ryder Cup for the European and American teams respectively. Speaking of the Kentucky tournament, it has to be said that Padraig Harrington will be one of the key men for Nick Faldo’s Europe. In fact, if I was to bet on the Ryder Cup, the form of Padraig Harrington could lead me to back him to be Europe’s leading point scorer.
That is still a month or so away yet though and for now, he should enjoy winning his second consecutive major. He really is becoming one of the world’s greatest golfers. Excellent stuff Padraig – keep it going during the Ryder Cup please!
2 comments so far
1 The Armchair Golfer // Aug 14, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I am very impressed with Padraig. The repeat at The Open Championship was great stuff. The win at the USPGA was a bit unexpected — he won without his best game. That says a lot. The Irishman now has an advantage over everyone except Tiger in that he knows how to grind out and win majors.
2 Conor O'Kane // Aug 28, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I always thought if anyone was going to emerge from the European Tour to be a Major player it was going to be Padraig. Nobody works harder on their game, with the exception of crazy hard working Vijay Singh, and he has that permanent look of determination. You know nothing else is going through his head but what he want to do on his next shot and he gives total commitment to the shot every time too. I hope he goes on to even greater things, he deserves to. He’s been top of the Masters putting statistics several times, hopefully he can get himself a green jacket and make it thrre in a row!
http://pgatourist.blogspot.com/