Honda Classic Winning Harrington Delivers Some Timely Advice To Crestfallen Woods.

A jubilant Padraig Harrington delivered crestfallen Tiger Woods a subtle reminder after the Dubliner ended a seven-year winless drought to capture a second Honda Classic title at PGA National.

Harrington won with a par at the second extra hole, the par three 17th, after the 21-year old Berger found the water guarding the green on route to a double bogey.

It is Harrington first taste of success on the PGA Tour in 119 events since capturing the 2008 PGA Championship.

Harrington’s contested 176 PGA Tour events since breaking through for a maiden Tour win a decade ago to capture the 2005 Honda Classic virtually across the road at the Mirasol Club.

Padraig Harrington delivers some timely advice to Tiger Woods after capturing a second Honda Classic title.  (Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffille.ie)

Padraig Harrington delivers some timely advice to Tiger Woods after capturing a second Honda Classic title. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffille.ie)

However Harrington has not been totally winless having won twice since 2008 on the Asian Tour including landing the 2014 Indonesian Open five event ago in the first week of December.

And after slumping to World No. 385 mid last year, Harrington as the new No. 82nd ranked player had some timely advice for Woods, and seven places higher on the rankings but heading in the opposite direction as the 43-year old Harrington.

“Normally you would be very happy to be seven spots behind Tiger but then at least I am go up the rankings and let’s hope he can, and the two of us can start moving upwards,” said Harrington.

“And I can guarantee it that it was a big help to me Retief Goosen playing that well last week in L.A. and to see players like Tiger and Retief who I have played so much against over the years doing well as Retief is 46 and Tiger’s in his 40th year.

“So I hope when Tiger sees players that he also competed against for so long doing well, including myself winning today, then it will help turnaround his game so that he might say:  “Oh yes, I’ve won against those guys before, so maybe I can still win out here”.

Padraig Harrington acknowledges the crowd as he walks onto the 17th green and the second play-off hole knowing he's surely captured a second Honda Classic. (Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)

Padraig Harrington acknowledges the crowd as he walks onto the 17th green and the second play-off hole knowing he’s surely captured a second Honda Classic. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)

“So there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is a positive thing when you see you peers doing well and it’s not just some 20-year old kid who hits is miles and you say to yourself ‘Hell, how am I ever going to compete.”

Victory also has seen Harrington qualify for the Masters after missing out last year for a first occasion since 2000 while he’s exempt on the PGA Tour till the end of the 2016/17 wraparound season after also having lost his Tour card late last year at the Wyndham Championship.

And victory has also rekindled Harrington’s desire to compete in next year’s Olympics.

“Winning my first PGA Tour event here in 2005 was big and winning my first Major at Carnoustie in 2007 was life changing to win this event is career changing,” added Harrington.

“I say that given where I have been at in recent years so be back sitting here now as a tournament winner as I will now be back in the feature draws at tournaments.

“It will make a big change to my career and while for the moment I am just enjoying being a winner again.

“But then all wins are sweet and even winning out in Indonesia last year was so enjoyable when I was out there last December, so winning is so much better than anything else.

“Believe or not I would rather win in Indonesia than finish second anywhere else as winning is just fantastic.

“Though this win, as important to my career it will be the next couple of years, will see me back on top of the pile in that I will get better draws, be able to reshape my schedule and world ranking-wise  it’s a huge lift.

“And I’ve been telling the guys back home the Olympics is a big goal of mine and I would love to be competing in Rio next year and while it is a big ask, this win is a step in that direction.”



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