Padraig Harrington further cemented his legendary status on Sunday with a three-stroke victory at the Senior Open, becoming just the fifth player in history to win both The Open Championship and the Senior Open.
The Irishman carded rounds of 67, 65, 65 and 67 to post 16-under-par 264 at Sunningdale Golf Club in Berkshire, England. He finished three shots clear of Justin Leonard and Thomas Bjørn.
It was Harrington’s second senior Major title of the season – coming just a month after his win at the US Senior Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs – and his third overall, having also captured the 2022 edition of the same event.
“One of the things that myself and my caddie talk about a lot as you get older is that you reflect on your wins and where you win,” said Harrington. “Winning here at Sunningdale is very special. It’s really nice to win at the great venues of golf.”
Harrington, a World Golf Hall of Fame inductee, is now in rare company. His Senior Open title sees him join Bob Charles, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Darren Clarke as the only men to have lifted both the Claret Jug and the Senior Open trophy.
“I’m thrilled to have won, but very satisfied that I’ve won a Senior Open alongside my two Open Championships,” he said. “The fact that only five people have ever done it is quite special. I’m quite proud that I’ve managed to survive this long in the game. At this stage, we look a lot at our legacy, and that’s pretty special.”
Despite taking a two-shot lead into the final round, Harrington admitted he didn’t have his best stuff throughout the week. He described his pre-round warm-up on Sunday as “really bad” and was candid about feeling uncomfortable with his swing.
“I don’t feel very good about how I’m hitting the ball,” he said after Saturday’s round. “Better off shooting 13 under and not feeling so good about it than thinking you’re swinging it great and shooting level par.”
He leaned on experience and strategy in the final round, toning down his swing and managing expectations.
“I tried to swing the smoothest, slowest I could all day,” he said. “Just tried to really swing within myself. I happened to play quite well as it turned out. But there was a little bit of turmoil in my own head at times.”
Still, he made the win look routine, closing out the week with another high-quality round and a touch of history.
The victory marks his 11th title on the PGA Tour Champions and continues a remarkable stretch of senior golf from the 53-year-old, who also finished tied second in this year’s Senior PGA Championship.
South African Ernie Els closed out a strong week with a final-round 68 to finish in a tie for fifth on 11-under-par 269.
The four-time Major champion showed flashes of his vintage form throughout the week, combining solid ball-striking with trademark touch on the greens.
Photo: Phil Inglis/Getty Images
