Harrington: Champion
Padraig Harrington became the first European in 78 years to win the USPGA Championship with his superb victory at Oakland Hills.
The Irishman produced a superb charge over the final two rounds to pip Sergio Garcia and Ben Curtis to the title.
And the win means Harrington becomes the first European to win majors consecutively in the same year, having successfully defended his Open crown in July.
Having now won three majors, where do Harrington's achievements rank among the leading European golfers over the years?
Is Harrington seriously challenging Tiger Woods as world No.1 or is the injured American still a cut above?
And what now for Garcia, who let another winning position slip away?
Join the Sky Sports Debate and let us know your views on Harrington's win via the form below...
Comments (49)
Padraig Mccallion says...
Harrington is a legend and all of that waiting in the background for the past few years has finally paid, good things come to those who wait and Harrington has waited and it is his turn to shine.
Posted 12:16 4th September 2008
Stephen Reidy says...
I totally agree with Steve Hennessy. Sounds like a man full of golfing knowledge. Garcia did not lose it, Harrington played fantastic stuff on the back 9 to win. -3 for the back nine, and -1 for the last three was unbelievable golf. I felt Garcia played magnificient stuff on Sunday and hit only one bad shot. Thought he came out of that with his head held high, but was just beaten by a better man of the day. I do feel he wasn't gracious in defeat. As for comparing Harrington with Woods, i think that's stupid. Woods is in a different league to everyone else, but i do believe Harrington has the potential to challenge Woods in the majors next year, and it will be thrilling to watch if it ever happens.
Posted 14:16 14th August 2008
Peter Sheridan says...
Not knowing if Padraig was going to play the open and then win it, I had ruled him out after Saturday at the PGA. At dinner with my family on Sunday, I could not keep still as the resturant was not showing the final round. When I got home and watched the last 5 holes, it felt like Paddy was winning his first Major. I meet him here in New York. One of the greatest guy's you could meet. He was playing in the Barcley's Classic which he won with a 60ft. eagle to win and my foundest memory was after a par save and he was on the next tee that I turned too him to shout, Well done Paddy, too which he gave me a smile. That was just weeks before he lost his Father. What this man has done for Irish golf and the people of Ireland, let there be many more major's. Who needs Tiger when you have Padraig.
Posted 23:16 13th August 2008
Tom Cribbin says...
I am a hugh Padraig fan, and I watched all day Sunday, every shot. To suggest that Sergio chocked is absurd. Sergio shot 68 on the final day of a major on a course that bordered on unfair. It was not his day. Ben Curtis also played superbly. It was the most exciting golf I have ever seen. Do not take anything away from the best golfer in Europe, he WON the PGA with brilliant golf, clutch up and downs on the front 9 when Sergio shot 4 under and perfect putting down the stretch. Tiger is still #1, but Padraig's closing the gap fast.
Posted 16:53 13th August 2008
Dara Cummins says...
I am a huge Padraig fan and never in my wildest dreams could I have thought that he could win three majors. I always knew that he had one in him, but three is just fantastic. Now I feel he has the game to go on and win six or seven or even more. I do have one complaint about the weekend and that was the coverage from the US. It was, at times, terrible. The never seem to give the European guys the coverage they deserve. They were even showing shots and players out of turn. That, coupled with the truncated presentation at the end, took away from what was a truely historical showdown between Padraig and Sergio.
Posted 11:49 13th August 2008
Simon Garside says...
After this years masters, where I correctly predicted Immleman to win, I tipped POD for the Masters 09. I believe in Padraig and now that he has a 'habit' of winning majors I think my prediction is spot on. This guy has not just won a major, he's won three! This just means that he goes to a Major with 100% belief he's going to win it. There are alot of guys who believe they will win majors but they will have subconcious doubt that Padraig no longer has to contend with. Get your house re-mortgaged and put it on POD for the masters!
Posted 11:26 13th August 2008
Ade Sherwood says...
go back around 6 years and some may have questioned harringtons bottle over the last 9 holes of a tournament , i think now without shadow of a doubt that has now been put firmly to sleep . this is clearly the 2nd best golfer in the world and certainly not that far behind woods. i have been following harrington through thick and thin and if you know your golf then this could have been his 6th or 7th major , no one ever mentions the masters 2 years ago when he went in the water at 16 four days running and lost by only a few shots . driving in the bunker down 18 in the british open and having to come out sideways when only needing par to make the 4 man playoff when els won . this man is the real deal and is the biggest challenge woods is gonna come up against for many a year . great stuff padraig and keep in coming , my bookmaker is having nightmares about you !
Posted 11:15 13th August 2008
Conor Murphy says...
At the end of the day, Padraig Harrington is a living legend!!
Posted 10:15 13th August 2008
Conor Dooley says...
Both Harrington and Garcia are superb players. But it shows what how top class sports exists on a knife's edge. Had Sergio's birdie putt gone down at the 18th in Carnoustie, this thread wouldn't exist. However, Harrington, as always made the most of his opportunity. His save to get down in 6 and force a play-off was crucial in his ajors career. Three Majors later, he is a heroic sportsman in the best tradition. He definitely won it on Sunday. Salute to him and Sergio, whose time WILL come, and when it does, it will be immensely popular because of what he will have had to endure to get there.
Posted 22:42 12th August 2008
Ed Holmes says...
Cant wait to see Padraig face Tiger on a Sunday in a Major, I really would favour Harrington. The mental strength he showed in the final round was incredible, very similar to what Tiger has shown in his major victories. If Tiger played a back nine under pressure coming from 3 shots behind and sinking those putts like Padraig, the commentators would be saying that only Tiger was capable of such genius!! Not any more, there's a different animal around now and Tiger better hope he never has to catch Paddy on a major Sunday!!! P.S dont forget P.H came very close to winning the U.S Open at Winged Foot. If he can get himself in contention for the final round the rest of the field will be afraid, very afraid!!
Posted 22:18 12th August 2008
Tony Cooper says...
At last we have a european who can putt under pressure as well as Woods, at the end of the day it always boils down to who sinks the putts. Harrington as won 3 majors on arguably three of the toughest courses in the world, says it all really.
Posted 20:19 12th August 2008
Melvyn Kennedy says...
I'm reading a lot of comments here and in the media about how sergio's collapse handed Padraig his 3rd Major title. Hard to credit it. For as long as I'm playing, watching and following golf, the phrase "Back Nine on Sunday" sorts the winners from the losers. Last Sunday due to weather conditions Padraig shot two 32's (-3) on the back nine on Sunday. Sergio 36(+1) and 37 (+2). This show's Harringtons pure class and Tiger like determination on the Back 9 and Sergios inability to handle the pressure. While Harrington would have to win the next 5 majors to come close to Tiger in the world rankings he is definitely a worthy No. 2 in the world. Bring on the Masters and US Open for the "Paddy Slam"
Posted 17:02 12th August 2008
Mark Mcgovern says...
I have to agree, I thought Garcia has been quite ungracious in defeat, complaining that breaks did not go his way and went harringtons, absolute nonsense. Check him out compared to Greg Norman at birkdale, who immediately acknowledged the best player had won and thoroughly deserved his victory. Garcia could take a leaf out of Normans book. Although Norman has already won majors, he has always been so gracious in defeat
Posted 15:06 12th August 2008
James Nolan says...
Yet again Padraig has done it . At Carnoustie he had to come from behind to even give himself a chance .At Birkdale he did the same over the final 9 holes and then two 66s to win the USPGA what more can one say about Padraig he is a true champion and whats more a gentleman. I witnessed him in Adare Manor at this years Irish Open and he come out of the markers tent to sign autographs for hoards of well wishers unlike some of the other pro,s that jumped the fence to avoid all the kids . Congrats again Padraig now for the Masters is one you can win.
Posted 14:40 12th August 2008
Dave Potter says...
Padraig is currently the next best after Tiger however let's not get ahead of ourselves as i'm sure he won't. Tiger Woods is still far and away the most talented golfer out there and there are a group of maybe 5 or so after that with Padraig currently the top of that list. I thought that Sergio was not very gracious in defeat and it's obvious that Padraig has his number on the big head to heads.
Posted 14:17 12th August 2008
Mark Mcgovern says...
Harrington had 12 putts over the final 10 holes!!!! What an incredible stat and says wonders about how Harrington performed under pressure. So proud of you padraig, a fighter until the very end. Its just a shame that we have to wait about 8 months for Augusta!! What I would give to see harrington in this form in a final pairing showdown with Tiger! All respect to tiger, he is obviously the best in the world but I suspect harrington will test him more than anybody else out there. The fact that he wont budge and sticks with it regardless makes him so formidable. He has a great head to head record against tiger too. Bring it on!
Posted 14:12 12th August 2008
Euan Smith says...
Win 1 major history, 2 majors GREAT! 3 majors Legend!!The best thing about Paddy is he's a family guy who loves the battle.No flash bang wallop just class.Doesn't shout his mouth off like other younger Europeans just practices hard and plays harder.Garcia's time will come because if it wasn't for Paddy he would definatly have had 1 maybe 2.The problem is outside these 2 who else is actually wanting it, no really wanting it!!
Posted 12:52 12th August 2008
Eoin Ryan says...
padraig is the best golfer in the world at the moment! soon he wil be world no. 1!!! he wil lead europe to ryder cup glory!
Posted 12:46 12th August 2008
Chris Dowson says...
i think this win showed the rest of the golfing world including tiger that there is another man on the scene who can cope with the pressure of the final few holes of a major just as well as the great man himself. he holed testing putts hit great irons and drives, something those around him including sergio couldn't do. i would love to see tiger and pod in the last group on a sunday in a major, that would be special!!!
Posted 12:40 12th August 2008
Paul Rigby says...
sergio is still the best. come on sergio next time is yours BELIVE!!!!!!
Posted 12:10 12th August 2008