IT WAS an excellent weekend for Team Padraig Harrington with even his dog Rio enjoying the sweet taste of success.
The Irish golf legend claimed the US Senior Open title for a second time by holding off the challenge of Stewart Cink and Miguel Angel Jimenez respectively.
The tournament was held in Colorado Springs, Colorado[/caption]
A welcome treat given Colorado is going through a mini-heatwave[/caption]
Son Ciarán and wife Caroline were there to support him and caddie Ronan Flood in their efforts[/caption]
In the aftermath of his latest major triumph, the Rathfarnham native shared an amusing video of Rio cooling off with an ice pop.
He captioned it: “A celebratory ice pop for Rio. Peanut butter and banana.”
Fans of the two-time British Open winner congratulated him whilst also looking forward to next month’s edition which will be held at Royal Portrush in Antrim.
Stephen hailed: “Congrats Padraig, great champion of the game. Hopefully keep playing great for Portrush too!”
Meanwhile Bryson (not DeChambeau) added: “Well done Padraig & Rio. Great win!”
Lastly, while thinking of Padraig’s other dog, Ron joked: “Hopefully you made things right with Maltbie.”
In winning the tournament, Harrington earned a payday of $800,000.
He had been tied heading into the last round after a 68 on Saturday – the same as Australia’s Mark Hensby and American Cink.
But the Stackstown icon held his nerve despite a tense final hole at Broadmoor Golf Club.
He carded a three under par 70 final round, which saw him finish on a total of 11 under par.
His score was enough to pip his friend Cink to the title by one stroke, with Jimenez a further shot back after a stunning seven under round of 63.
It was the 2024 Golf Hall of Fame inductee’s tenth Senior’s Tour title. Afterwards an elated Harrington told RTE: “Here I’m comfortable.
“Look, here I’m not thinking I’m going to miss the cut. Touch wood that doesn’t happen.
“I’m not thinking about that. If you brought me to a regular event Thursday afternoon I would be thinking about the cut line.
“Whereas here I’m thinking how do I get myself into position. And even the first couple of days I got going and I could have got away from the field.
“I dropped back a couple (shots). I was still going. All I want to be is with nine holes to go to give myself a chance and be in the right head space at that time.”
MIGUEL’S MISHAP
Third-placed Jimenez rued his approach on the 18th as he ultimately ran out of holes to reel in Harrington’s lead.
Reflecting on his costly bogey, he vented: “If I had a chance to get on the green, I would go for that.
“But as I was talking with my caddie, ‘OK, maybe you can pass the water, but we cannot do anything from there. Is it worth the risk?’
“Then I still need to go, but he’s right. Then make not a bad wedge where I hit it after.
“I went high left, more or less, pin high and missed it, but at least give myself a chance to make 4. But if I put it in the water, bye-bye.”
