Irish ‘cream’ de la creme on the greens

Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington vividly remembers his first visit to India in 1992 when he was awaiting his accountancy final exams results.

He was 22 then, and despite his Indian campaign had ended in the semi-finals of the Indian Amateur Championships in Kolkata — he had lost to now retired European Tour colleague Christian Cavaer — the promising Irish golfer returned home as a qualified accountant.

“My parents informed me from home that I had received my ACCA accountancy exams results. They opened the envelope and told me that I had passed. If I had not passed, they said they would have sealed the envelope and waited for me to get home,” recalls Harrington, who was in India after a gap of 24 years for the Hero India Open in New Delhi last month.

“So, at that time I had intended to become an accountant and had no idea of becoming a professional golfer. At 24, I turned pro more because of the amateurs turning pro though I wasn’t sure, I was good enough,” the 44-year-old adds.

A year after, Harrington’s golfing career had seen him rake in an ample 24 million Euros in prize money on the European Tour alone. He then went on to win 14 titles on tour.

His glittering career includes titles at the Open Championship in 2007 and 2008 and the PGA Championship, also in 2008. His breakthrough major win in 2007 Open Championship — where Harrington defeated Sergio García in a four-hole playoff at Carnoustie Golf Links — made him the first Irishman to win The Open Championship in 60 years, and the first-ever from the Republic of Ireland.

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

“I have had a lot of memorable moments, clearly winning my three major titles was tremendous. That was probably the happiest of moments. Also winning the European Order of Merit in 2006, PGA Golfer of the Year in 2008, winning the World Cup in 1997, playing in six Ryder Cups, four of which were winning teams. I have won 29 times around the world so I have a lot of good memories,” said the iconic golfer, who has 30 pro titles to his names that included six on the PGA Tour.

The success notwithstanding, Harrinton endured difficult seasons when he remained winless for years and finishing second on 29 occasions. However, the Irish golfer’s “belief” of regaining the winning touch remained. In March 2015, he won his first event on the European or PGA Tours — Honda Classic — seven years since the 2008 PGA Championship.

“Winning is a good habit but you don’t learn that much. You learn more when you lose, looking back at mistakes. Again I wouldn’t like to look at all 29 finishes as losses, most were good weeks and whilst I did mess up sometimes, I have learned a lot from them.

“It’s hard to live up to those standards of 2007-08. That was truly a peak. But I am in good form. I do feel like I am playing well and I am looking forward to the next peak in my career,” said Harrington, adding that the sport had become a much more open contest now since the end of Tiger Woods’ dominance.

“None of the top players — including Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day — are as good as Tiger when he was in full form. Tiger’s ‘B’ game was a pretty good as well.”

Golf, though, wasn’t Harrington’s first choice as a kid. Born to a famous Gaelic footballer in Ireland — Paddy — the Dublin-born was a talented goalkeeper for his school (Colaiste Eanna) and club (with Ballyboden St Enda’s) as a teen before he eventually decided to devote all his time to golf.

“During weekends, I used to play Gaelic football for my club and on other days, I would play for school. I followed the same routine until I was 14 or 15, before choosing to play golf. I was still captain of my Gaelic football school team when I was 17,” said the iconic golfer, who looks up to Arsenal icon and former Northern Ireland footballer Pat Jennings as his inspiration.

When asked about his plans after retirement, Harrington said: “I love playing golf. I’m fascinated with the game and I’m going to keep playing as long as I can. I’m on the PGA and European Tours now, and will stay on them as long as I can, even past the age of 50.”