Major Golfing Victory For Ireland

In one of the greatest Irish sporting achievements of all time, Padraig Harrington has taken the Open for a second consecutive time at Royal Birkdale.

The Dublin golfing legend elegantly played his way to third best player in the world, winning the Open in style for a stunning second year.

Much has been made about the absence of Tiger Woods, but Harrington's four stroke victory crushed any whispers of a win by default.

Finishing confidently with a slammed tee shot straight down the middle, followed by a perfectly judged shot onto the 18th green, Harrington two-putted to victory lifting the Claret Jug and embracing his family as record Open crowds gave a standing ovation.

The tournament saw a host of dramas and unexpected runs of form, with the 'Great White Shark', Greg Norman, making a resurgent vie for the title as he led for much of the competition, while KJ Choi threatened before a disastrous final round to take his first open victory.

Speaking about the pressure he faced as previous winner coming back to defend his 2007 victory over Sergio Garcia, Harrington said: "One of the keys to playing well on a Sunday is you don't ever get into the consequences of what you are doing. I did that very well today.

"I never at any stage started think about what it means to win a second Open, defend an Open, to win two Majors. Obviously winning a Major puts you in a special club. Winning two of them puts you in a new club.”

The Irish champion had been plagued by a wrist injury going in to the prestigious competition, but the old adage to beware the injured golfer held true, and failed to hamper his lifting of the much coveted trophy.

(DW)