Padraig Harrington won the Portugal Masters after 8 years without a win.
At the age of 45 Padraig probably thought his winning days were over. His last victory came at the 2008 PGA championship – his third major in two years. Since then he’s been plagued by injury, with a dip in form made worse by his temperamental putter.
Harrington’s last four European Tour wins:
? 2007 Open
? 2008 Open
? 2008 PGA Champ
? 2016 Portugal Masters pic.twitter.com/VZPmw5FaDR— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 23, 2016
Fellow Irishman Shane Lowry, who won the tournament in 2012, paid tribute on Twitter and then challenged his friend to a game next week.
“Delighted for Padraig and [caddy] Ronan, some great names on that trophy too,” joked Lowry.
Just landed in Dubai to find out @padraig_h won in Portugal. Delighted for him and Ronan. Some great names on that trophy too ?
— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) October 23, 2016
Harrington put his victory down to “96% scrambling this week. 25 chances to get up down around the greens, took 51 shots. 2 chip ins and a holed bunker shot”, Lowry said: “I’ll still play ya for 50 next week.”
It was a very appropriate end to his round. He managed to get up and down from a horrible lie and finish off the short game masterclass that started on the 11th hole.
"The bunker shot on 11 was the turning point. After that, I felt it was my tournament to win." https://t.co/DcS7UpabWC
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 23, 2016
Padraig Harrington is a winner again!#PortugalMasters https://t.co/CwVFjMWcDn
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 23, 2016
Former Ryder Cup team-mate Paul McGinley also hailed the 2007 and 2008 Open champion.
“That Padraig Harrington is something else,” he said. “His strength is a love of the game and competition that has never diminished and is much admired.”
This was Harrington’s 30th professional win. If you needed to know why he is one of our favourite golfers, look no further.
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