PADRAIG Harrington was delighted to regain possession of the Claret Jug after claiming his second Open Championship in succession in superb style on a windswept final day at Royal Birkdale.
Harrington carded a closing round of 69 for a three over total of 283, finishing four shots clear of Ryder Cup team-mate Ian Poulter to become the first European player to successfully defend the title since James Braid in 1906.
The 36-year-old Du
bliner was doubtful before the start with an injury to his right wrist but put the result beyond doubt with birdies on the 13th and 15th and an eagle from just four feet on the 17th to seal a memorable triumph.
"Once I got the tee shot away (on the last) I knew I had won it," Harrington said. "It was an enjoyable 18th.
"I'd like to put the Claret Jug right back where it was last year.
"I really tried not to think about the consequences of winning today but I did think it would be nice to have the trophy back on the breakfast table again.
"I had a great year as Open champion, so much so I didn't want to give it back.
"It's brilliant to come back and defend. I convinced myself I could win and I stayed focused and managed to get the job done.
"It's important that you go on and win a second major. Very few people have won two majors or back-to-back majors.
"I was always trying to play that down but winning a second sets you apart. It's a new level and there's less people in that club."
Harrington injured his wrist prior to the tournament and rated his prospects of completing the championship at just 50-50, but felt the problem ended up working to his advantage.
"In hindsight the fact that I didn't play three practice rounds meant I was fresh for the battle ahead. It took a bit of stress and pressure off me. It was a good distraction. Sometimes you need that.
"I knew my game was there but maybe this week I made the right decision at the right time and got the right break at the right time."
The key moment in Harrington's round came at the par 5 17th where he hit the shot of the tournament in going for the green with a 5 wood and ending up only four feet away.
"As soon as I hit it my caddie said to me 'good shot', and that's totally out of character for him," said the Irishman. "I didn't want to lay up and make par when I knew Greg Norman could make an eagle there, because a one-shot lead is nothing. You can't have enough shots to play with going down the last."
The £750,000 first prize secures Harrington's place in the Ryder Cup in September and takes him from 14th to a career-high third in the world rankings. "It clears up a lot for September, that had been on my mind too," he added.
The full article contains 522 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
