I don’t know about most of you, but I have never done anything where people start a conversation by telling people that I am the first to ever do … whatever. Padraig Harrington’s list on Sunday, after closing out The 90th PGA Championship, included being the first European to win back-to-back majors, the first European to win the PGA in 78 years, and the first European to ever win the PGA as a medal (stroke) play event (it was a match-play tournament in 1930 when Tommy Armour won).
Harrington blushed a little and was clearly thrilled as the moderator read that list of firsts during the champion’s press conference last Sunday evening, but he absolutely beamed when it was announced that he was the first Irishman to ever win a PGA. This is a man clearly proud of his heritage. He enjoys being Irish – and who can blame him since we all enjoy “being Irish” every year on March 17.
Thanks to a little help from Mother Nature, one of the toughest golf courses in America became a little more playable on Sunday, and gave players a chance to play aggressively after heavy storms interrupted play on Saturday. Much of the field had to play more than 18 holes on Sunday, some as many as 36. As it is with most majors, the excitement started on the back 9 of the final round. This was no exception as Harrington, Sergio Garcia and Ben Curtis battled to the very end. Charlie Wi was in the picture until bogeys at 13 and 15 put him too far behind to catch up. Once again, it was Harrington’s ability to come up with a clutch shot from a tough position that carried him to victory. His 10-foot par putt at 16, followed by a great 5-iron and an eight-foot downhill slider for birdie at 17, followed by a 15-foot downhiller at 18 made for one of the all-time great finishes in a major. Padraig Harrington now joins Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson and Retief Goosen on the list of active players with three majors. (That Tiger guy still has a slight lead with 14.)
Now Harrington has seven months to enjoy his trophies and be badgered by questions about a “Paddy Slam” if he wins The Masters and U.S. Open next year, but in between, he will be taking a lot of confidence into the Ryder Cup and FedExCup playoffs. I get the feeling he will be enjoying every minute between now and then.
OPEN NOTE TO SERGIO
Sergio: believe it or not, there ARE those of us out here that recognize and enjoy your talent, and don’t need to ask idiotic and repetitive questions in the hopes of getting an emotional response to know that you are disappointed that you didn’t win. Some of us can look at a person and know that they are a little down after losing a tournament that means so much. That kind of lazy “journalism” belongs in a tabloid, not in a major championship press conference. You did an excellent job controlling your emotions and responses in front of that bunch of jackals, knowing that if you gave them what they wanted, they would do everything they could to make you look foolish. Personally, I applaud your walk-out at the end. There was no reason to continue with that childish line of questioning. Best of luck in the playoffs and Ryder Cup, and we’ll be looking forward to watching you play here in Atlanta at THE TOUR Championship.
Capps can be reached at onthegreen@scoreatl.com.
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