Dubai, UAE …. Triple Major winning Padraig Harrington is excited at the prospect next year of being voted into the ‘World Golf Hall of Fame’ and this after the eligibility criteria was reduced earlier this week from age 50 to 45.

For a time, the minimum age was 40, which is why the likes of Ernie Els (2022) and Phil Mickelson (2012) were long ago inducted.

The age limit was then raised to 50 but now it’s back to 45 that opens the door for the 2021 male inductees to be Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson and Harrington.

Padraig Harrington now eligible in being inducted into the Golf World Hall of Fame.

“I did not realise the Hall of Fame had brought the age back to 45 so that’s good to learn,” said the 48-year old Harrington ahead of this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

“I would hope that I would be honoured at some time in my career but what do I say as I would like those honours just pan out and let them take their course.

“Saying that it would be a great honour to be in the Hall of Fame, and it would be an incredible honour no doubt about it.”

Ireland inductees into the World Golf Hall of Fame include: Joe Carr (2007) and Christy O’Connor Jnr (2009)