Buzzin Golf

Padraig Harrington has had quite a year. Not only has he won two major titles during 2008, but the Irish golfer has won the respect of his peers and is considered by many as one of the greatest golfer’s around right now.

However, it seems that his year just gets better and better as he won the PGA European Tour’s ‘shot of the year’ award. Padraig Harrington’s five-wood approach to the par five 17th at Royal Birkdale in the final round of the British Open was adjudged to be the best of 2008 and not many people were arguing.

This wasn’t the only Padraig Harrington shot that received recognition though as his tee-shot on the penultimate hole of the US PGA was voted as the third greatest shot of the year. Again, it was a crucial shot that virtually secured the Irishman victory over Sergio Garcia and Ben Curtis, so it fully deserved to be recognised.

There appeared to be a bit of a theme developing to the evening though as sandwiched between Padraig Harrington’s two shots was seven-iron approach from another Irishman – Graeme McDowell.

This shot was played at the third play-off hole in the Ballantines championship and handed Graeme McDowell victory at the expense of Jeev Milkha Singh. It was the second year in succession that he had won the runners up prize in the ‘shot of the year’ awards.

In all fairness though, the night had to belong to Padraig Harrington who described the shot that won him the award as having a ‘perfect’ connection that provided a ‘real bonus’ in terms of his chances of going on to win the tournament.

With reference to next year’s competition, Padraig Harrington would like to be in contention again and I’m sure he will. However, I’d like to see the golf odds on a returning Tiger Woods cleaning up in 2009.