seamus dubhghaill

Promoting Irish Culture and History from Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

Tag Archives: 2008 Open Championship


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Birth of Professional Golfer Pádraig Harrington

Pádraig Peter Harrington, one of the most accomplished professional golfers in history, is born in Dublin on August 31, 1971.

Raised in Rathfarnham, a suburb of Dublin, Harrington grows up in a sports‑oriented family — his father, Patrick Harrington, is a Gaelic footballer, boxer, and amateur golfer with a five‑handicap. He attends Coláiste Éanna secondary school and studies accountancy, balancing academics with a passion for golf.

Harrington begins playing golf with his family at age five and develops his skills at nearby Stackstown Golf Club. As an amateur, he represents Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup three times (1991, 1993, 1995), winning the 1995 edition. He turns professional in 1995 at the age of 24, quickly winning the Peugeot Spanish Open in 1996.

Harrington has won 43 professional tournaments across the PGA European Tour, PGA Tour, Japan Golf Tour, Asian Tour, and PGA Tour Champions. His career highlights include: three major championships (the 2007 and 2008 Open Championship and the 2008 PGA Championship). He is the winner of the European Tour Order of Merit in 2006 and PGA Tour Player of the Year in 2008. He is a member of six consecutive Ryder Cup teams (1999–2010), winning four (2002, 2004, 2006, 2010). He reaches his career‑high world ranking of No. 3 in July 2008. In October 2024, he wins the inaugural Simmons Bank Championship at Pleasant Valley Country Club in the author’s hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas.

In 2024, Harrington is inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, cementing his status as one of golf’s legends. Known for his meticulous play and consistency, he remains a respected figure in the sport, with a net worth estimated at around $40 million.

In summary, born on August 31, 1971, in Dublin, Pádraig Harrington’s career spans over three decades, marked by major wins, Ryder Cup success, and Hall of Fame recognition, making him a defining name in modern golf.


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Pádraig Harrington Wins the 2007 Open Championship

padraig-harrington

Pádraig Harrington of Dublin becomes the first Irish golfer to win the British Open in 60 years on July 22, 2007, when he snatches victory from the jaws of defeat at Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland.

At the 2007 Open Championship, Harrington defeats Sergio García in a four-hole playoff at Carnoustie, becoming the first Irishman to win The Open Championship in 60 years, and the first ever from the Republic of Ireland. Both players go into the playoff having shot a 7-under 277 for the championship. Harrington subsequently wins by one stroke in the playoff.

Harrington is the first European golfer to secure a major victory since Paul Lawrie on the same course in 1999 and Ireland’s first since Fred Daly in 1947. President Mary McAleese is the first to convey her congratulations to Harrington, while Labour sports spokesman Jack Wall says, “Pádraig Harrington’s magnificent victory in the Open without doubt represents one of the greatest days in the history of Irish sport.”

A year later at the 2008 Open Championship, it is unclear if Harrington would get a chance to defend his Open title at Royal Birkdale Golf Club as eight days prior to the event he injures his wrist. However, he successfully defends his title, overcoming a 2-shot deficit to Greg Norman with a final round 69. He shoots a four-under-par 32 on the back nine, which enables him to pull away from Norman and Ian Poulter. His eagle on the par-5 17th all but seals the tournament. He is the first European golfer since James Braid in 1906 to retain the Claret Jug. The win moves him from fourteenth to third in the world rankings, behind only Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

Just three weeks after winning the 2008 Open Championship, Harrington wins the PGA Championship over the South Course of the Oakland Hills Country Club, for his third major. Although at five over par after two rounds, he shoots eight under par for the weekend, carding successive scores of 66 in both the third and fourth rounds. His three under par 277 is two shots ahead of Sergio García and Ben Curtis. Harrington becomes the first European to win the PGA Championship since Tommy Armour in 1930 and is the first winner from Ireland.

Harrington’s victory in the PGA Championship secures his position as the number one player in Europe, earning him a spot in the 2008 European Ryder Cup team under captain Nick Faldo.