PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens, FL …
As this year marks the nine-year anniversary of Padraig Harrington’s remarkable second straight Open Championship triumph, the Irishman has revealed the extent Greg Norman reached out to the victorious 2008 Royal Birkdale champion.
Harrington was not expected to defend his Open title at the famed England course after injuring his right wrist in playing an ‘impact’ shot on the Saturday beforehand.
Padraig Harrington being congratulated by Greg Norman following the Irishman’s remarkable 2008 Open Championship victory.
He declined to play the course either on Sunday or Monday and it was not till Tuesday afternoon, and after further treatment that morning, Harrington played the back nine of the course but deliberately electing not to play any shots from the rough for fear of further injury.
Harrington eventually teed-up but was still given little hope of successful defending his title in shooting a first round 74.
A second round 68 for a two-over par tally put Harrington three behind Korean K J Choi while Norman, who was actually on his honeymoon with then wife, Chris Evert, signed for a second straight 70.
Norman, age 53 at the time, then became oldest player in Major’s history to hold the 54-hole lead (a record that Tom Watson at age 59 would then break a year later at Turnberry), in shooting a level par 72 for a two over par tally.
Harrington ensured he would partner the two-time Open winning Norman in the final group on the last day also producing a 72 to be now tied in second place with Choi (75) at four over par.
The unimaginable then unfolded with Harrington defying the sceptics with a tremendous back nine, that included eagling the long par five 17th that was later voted ‘2008 European Tour Shot of the Year’, to win by four shots courtesy of a round of 69.
England’s Ian Poulter produced his best finish in a Major signing for a 69 to finish second at seven over par.
Norman, who was attempting to also become the oldest Major Champion, stumbled under the weight of a 77 to finish tied third with Henrik Stenson on nine over par.
I asked Harrington, who is contesting this week’s Honda Classic at PGA National in Florida, if Norman ever spoke to him at length about the events of Sunday 20th July, 2008.
“I talked to Greg a bit afterwards and he couldn’t have been nicer on the day or afterwards”, said Harrington.
“If anything, he was too nice. You’ve never seen somebody as gracious, as happy for me to have won. Yeah, you know, I wouldn’t have known Greg in his heyday but I would have assumed he’s like most golfers; he’d be a lot harder.
“But I think, you know, at the stage of his career, I’m assuming he has mellowed, and I see it happening to myself.
“I look at young guys now and I’m happy to help them. Whereas 20 years ago, they were my competitors; I keep everything to myself. If I thought I had the secret, it was mine. Whereas now, I think there’s enough for everybody out here. So, I’m a little bit more giving, let’s say, to players.
“I think that’s what I kind of felt from Greg. He was so gracious. He played fabulous golf on the Sunday. He really did hit the golf ball well and things just didn’t fall in place for him on the given day and he still came very close to winning.
“So yeah, he was exceptionally gracious and I’ve talked to him since, and again, always stayed that way and genuinely seemed to get the feeling that he was happy for me to win”.
