Triple major winning Padraig Harrington reckons fellow Irishman Rory McIlroy could go onto to capture 10 Masters green jackets following his second straight success last Sunday at Augusta National.
Harrington was naturally delighted for McIlroy not only successfully defending at Augusta National but also securing a sixth Major Championship title.
Harrington created his own slice of golfing history becoming the then 16th player in 2007 and 2008 to capture back-to-back Open Championships, a first Carnoustie and a year later at Royal Birkdale.
“HE COULD GO ONTO CAPTURE @TheMasters OR MAYBE FIVE “
Says @padraig_h sounding his joy for Irish golf & singing his praise of fellow Irishman @McIlroyRory capturing a second Augusta National green jacket
Harrington speaking ahead of teeing-up this week’s @seniorpgachamp… pic.twitter.com/knfi2bPZQq
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) April 15, 2026
The Dubliner had won the 2008 PGA Championship earlier in April that year where he had secured one of his four top-10 finishes at Augusta National with his fifth place result, matching a Masters best of also being fifth in 2002.
Harrington contested his last Masters by missing the halfway cut in 2022 while he posted a T4 result at the 2012 US Open as his closest finish in that major.
And when asked his reaction to McIlroy’s victory on Sunday, Harrington spoke initially of his delight for Irish golf ahead of the now 54-year-old sharing his overwhelming joy for McIlroy.
“It’s great for Irish golf. We’ve added another major title, which is very nice“ said Harrington speaking ahead of this week’s Seniors PGA Championship at the Concession course at Bradenton course in Florida.
“We’ve been doing very well at the top of the table. Not so well at the bottom of the table. We haven’t had a lot of new guys come onto tour.
“I think when I started out on tour, there was 15 Irish guys on the European Tour. I played the first four events. This year I was the only Irish guy. Yeah, we’re strong at the top.
“As regards to Masters, Rory could win ten of them at this stage or five of them, anyway. He probably will still be competitive at 50 years of age around that golf course. For him, it was interesting that he won that one with his short game, which makes him even better a player.
“Over the years it’s physicality to driving and the iron play. He’s always been a superb chipper, but now it’s with the putting and things like that. A very rounded game and a game that looks like it has a lot of longevity in it. So he’s in a very nice place going forward, particularly at that tournament that you would think. It’s amazing when you win one, that he’s now got two, and we’re thinking that maybe two or three or five would be realistic around that golf course.
“But, yeah, he showed some real good character there. You know, psychology-wise he really won that tournament. His mentality and how he went about things, that’s a very strong showing for him.
“Rory’s obviously still has the physical side of the game, but to show that short game and the mental of the game means he looks like he would be a very strong force for a while to come in the game.“
So well said, Padraig and good luck this week.
