In the final round of the 137th British Open, there was no man better equipped to contend with the nostalgic tale of 53-year-old Greg Norman, than Irishman Padraig Harrington.
Battling sentimental favorite Norman in the final twosome was a defending champion, in the prime of his career, urged on by his own sizable contingent from across the Irish Sea.
Steeled by his flag-waving fans, Harrington overcame the gusting winds of Royal Birkdale and played a back nine for the ages, firing a 1-under-par 69 to win the Open championship by four strokes over Englishman Ian Poulter, and become the first European in 102 years to retain the Claret Jug.
“It looks shinier than I remembered,” said Harrington, 36, during the presentation of the trophy. “I’m quite enjoying this. I don’t think I’ll get down off this stage.”
It was a surprising triumph considering Harrington came into the tournament with a right wrist injury, which limited him to nine holes of practice. But Harrington said that left him fresh and removed some of the pressure as the defending champion.
“I think the wrist injury was a great distraction,” said Harrington. “I’ll have to find something every week to keep away the expectations and inside stresses.”
While third-round leader Norman (77) faded to a tie for third, six strokes back, Harrington had to contend with his own nerves after finishing the front nine by missing par putts of 6, 4, and 12 feet to remain a stroke behind Norman.
But the Irishman got off the bogey train, playing the back nine in 4-under par. The key shot — one that will long be regaled in the pubs of Ireland — came on No. 17, a par 5, where Harrington drilled a low 5-wood from 250 yards out that just carried a bunker, bounded up on the green and rolled to within four feet of the cup. Harrington rolled in the eagle putt to clinch it.
“Five wood is my favorite club in the bag,” said Harrington. “I was anxious that Greg could make an eagle down there. If I lay up and make par, I give Greg a chance to get within a shot.”
Harrington got the lead with another brilliant stroke — a 5-iron from 235 yards out — that produced a 15-foot birdie putt at No. 13. At No. 15, a par 5, Harrington reached the green in two and had a conventional two-putt birdie.
Norman, meanwhile, rued another opportunity lost. It was the eighth time — and undoubtedly the last — he lost a major championship after leading in the final round. He took his failure with characteristic grace.
“Maybe I did let it get away, maybe I didn’t,” said Norman. “Can I walk away feeling down? Of course, I can. Can I walk away feeling pretty good? Yeah, I can do that too.”
