Padraig Harrington
| Date of birth : |
August 31, 1971
|
| Place of birth : |
Dublin, Ireland
|
| Stats : |
196lbs |
| Turned pro : |
1995 |
| University : |
University of Oklahoma, USA
|
Biography
Padraig Harrington was a relatively late starter on the professional golf scene, joining the European Tour in 1996 at the age of 25. The Irishman did not have to wait long for his maiden victory, securing the Peugeot Spanish Open in the same year.
But he would have to wait four years for his second title after a string of second placed finishes. Harrington’s patience was also tested in the race for the European Tour’s Order of Merit. Second in 2001 and 2002 and third in 2003 and 2004 he eventually got his hands on the elusive prize in 2006.
At the turn of the Century, Harrington made an increasing number of appearances in the United States and took full membership of the PGA Tour in 2005.
Harrington enjoyed a rich of vein of form in 2007/08 when he won back to back Open Championship titles, becoming the first European to do so since James Braid in 1906 and rising to third in the world rankings.
Just three weeks later and Harrington had another title to his name as he pipped Sergio Garcia and Ben Curtis to become the first Irishman to win the PGA Championship.
The 39-year-old has represented Europe in the Ryder Cup on five occasions, winning three.