Padraig Harrington - Part 3 (The Early Professional Years)

Following a successful amateur career, including winning the Walker Cup in 1995 at Royal Porthcawl in one of his three Walker Cup appearances, Padraig turned professional in September 1995 and immediately secured his European Tour card, shortly before gaining his maiden tour victory at the 1996 Spanish Open after only 10 events as a professional.

In 1999 he fulfilled one of his career ambitions, qualifying for the European Ryder Cup team, thus beginning an association with the famous trophy that lasted for over 20 years.

After achieving the European number one ranking and securing the Harry Vardon Trophy in 2006, the following year Padraig won the Irish Open at Adare Manor, the first Irishman to win the national title for 25 years, emulating the victory of John O’Leary in 1982. A few months later he became the first European to win a Major Championship since 1999 and the first player from Ireland in 60 years since Fred Daly at Hoylake in 1947 to capture the Claret Jug, when he was victorious at the Open Championship at Carnoustie.

The following year he became the first European since James Braid in 1906 to successfully defend his title, retaining the Open Championship title at Royal Birkdale, becoming only the 16th player to defend The Open and the 24th player to record multiple Open victories. Only three weeks later, Padraig won the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills, Michigan, in the process becoming the first European since Scotland’s Tommy Armour in 1930 to acquire back-to-back Major titles.

The three Major victories in the space of 13… Read More