Padraig Harrington repeats his Open triumph in style

Sports Desk
Padraig Harrington defended his title in stunning style at Royal Birkdale with an eagle-par finish for a round of 69 and a four-stroke winning margin over Ian Poulter. He is the first European to win back-to-back Championships since James Braid way back in 1906.

After his victory at Carnoustie last year Harrington declared that his intention was to win more majors. He did that today in style: on the par-5 17th, with a two-shot lead over Ian Poulter and an advantage of three over playing partner Greg Norman, Harrington eschewed the safe option and decided to go at the green with his favourite club, his 5-wood.

"As soon as I hit it my caddie said to me 'good shot', and that's totally out of character for him," the champion said afterwards. "I didn't want to lay up and make par when I knew Greg Norman could make an eagle there, because a one-shot lead is nothing.

"You can't have enough shots to play with going down the last - as I proved last year!" joked the Irishman, who will now move up to third in the world rankings. The perfect shot rolled up the green and stopped just three feet away, from when Harrington rolled in the putt to take a four-shot cushion down the last.

"As soon as I hit the 3-wood off the tee, I knew I had won the Claret Jug," he said, adding of the trophy that he first lifted at Carnoustie last year, "It's a lot shinier than I remember!"