Padraig deserves his place on the list of all-time greats
Carnoustie 12 months ago we aw one of the most dramatic and nail-biting finishes in Open Championship history.
At Royal Birkdale yesterday, we probably witnessed the best closing nine holes ever to win an Open. Two contrasting ways of winning golf’s greatest prize but one winner in Padraig Harrington – a deserved back-to-back champion.
Not many players come away with two Majors in a career, let alone two successive Opens, and Padraig has rightly earned his place in history.
When Ian Poulter stood on the 17th tee level with Harrington at seven over, bookies had him at 11/8 favourite to lift the Claret Jug.
But playing four holes further back, Harrington had other ideas and his blistering, yet remarkably composed finish saw him reunited with famous trophy.
Under those conditions and the intense pressure, it was as good a back nine as you will see and that’s the sign of a great champion. Poulter’s surge up the leader board brought out the very best in Padraig until majestic second shot on the 17th which brought an eagle three, ensured they’d be no repeat of last year’s play-off drama.
Year to remember
As for Poulter, he showed tremendous fight, hitting great shots at both 13 and 15, and for a bit of luck on the greens towards the end of his round, things might have been very different.
As it is, though, he’s now a near-certainty to join Padraig in Nick Faldo’s Ryder Cup team for September, so that makes for a pretty good week’s work. But Harrington and Poulter aside, this Open will also be remembered for the effort put in by my old mate Greg Norman.
I played a practise round with Greg before the US Seniors PGA Championship at Oak Hill a few weeks back and you could see then how well he was hitting the ball. That’s one thing, but it’s another to perform on the big stage amid conditions like that and find yourself leading a Major championship going into the final day.
He may be slightly disappointed with the closing round 77 but to finish third at the age of 53 when you play such little competitive golf , like Greg, is incredible and I’m delighted for him. It was great effort.
I’m playing with him again on Wednesday ahead of the British Seniors Open at Troon. Hopefully, I’ll bring him down to earth a bit!
Like the Birkdale championship which Justin Rose made famous 10 years ago, this year’s tournament will also be remembered for the amateurs and the race for the silver medal.
Chris Wood lived the dream to earn a share of fifth place, and we’ll be seeing much more of him in the future, for sure. Meanwhile, the other amateur to make the cut, Thomas Sherreard, enjoyed an eagle-birdie for a superb 72 and a share of 19th.
Like everyone else and the thousands of fans who made this weekend so special, he’ll remember the day for a long time to come.