Padraig Harrington

Born: 31 August 1971 in Dublin, Ireland

Professional wins: 25

Current Ranking (as of 6 October 2011): 78

Three-time major championship winner, Padraig Harrington is undoubtedly, one of the world’s top golfers. He turned pro at the tail end of 1995 and made a great start to his professional career with a run of top 10 finishes capped by that all important maiden tour victory at the Spanish Open in his first season.

Padraig has enjoyed a consistent show of excellence throughout the years. Highlights include partnering Paul McGinley to bring Ireland victory in the World Cup 1997, the nation’s first for 39 years. 1999 saw Padraig fulfill one of his career ambitions - representing Europe in the Ryder Cup. In 2004, Harrington was also an inspirational member of the record breaking European team at the Ryder Cup that September. He topped the European Tour Order of Merit title in 2005 and by now he had established himself as one of the world’s top players.

Despite having gained the European number one spot, there was plenty more to come from this popular Irishman at the beginning of 2007. He had a top 10 finish at the Masters and then became the first Irishman to win his national title for 25 years, before then becoming the first European to win a Major since 1999, when he won the 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie after a dramatic last day. Despite visiting the water twice on the 72nd hole, Padraig shot a round of 67 to earn a place in the play-off with Sergio Garcia. Four holes later he deservedly became Champion Golfer of the Year.

2008 was another unbelievable year for Padraig with some excellent performances on the European and PGA Tour. However, with a focus on the Major Championships, with a credible fifth place finish at the Masters in July he made an incredible defence of his Open Championship title at Royal Birkdale, becoming the first European to successfully defend the Open title since James Braid in 1906. Three weeks later, Padraig went over to the US and won the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills, Michigan, in dramatic style, making him the first Irishman to win the event, the first European since 1930 and the first European to win back-to-back Major titles. Padraig was nominated as the 2008 European Tour, PGA Tour and PGA of America Player of the Year.

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