Irish golfer who reached world No.3, was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2024, and played six consecutive Ryder Cups.
Pádraig Peter Harrington was born on 31 August 1971 in Dublin, Ireland, the youngest of six brothers, and took up the game from a young age before turning professional relatively late, in 1995, after establishing himself first as a talented amateur. Harrington developed into the finest golfer the Republic of Ireland has produced, and delivered a remarkable run of major championship success in 2007 and 2008, winning The Open Championship in both years and adding the PGA Championship in 2008, becoming the most decorated Irish golfer in the sport's history with three major titles across two seasons. Harrington reached a career-high world ranking of third in July 2008, and won the World Cup of Golf for Ireland alongside Paul McGinley in 1997, while also representing Europe in six Ryder Cups, winning four of them, and captaining the winning European team at Whistling Straits in 2021. Harrington was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2023, and has continued competing successfully on the PGA Tour Champions, remaining one of the most respected and articulate ambassadors for the sport well into his fifties.
Back-to-back Open Championships (2007, 2008) and 2008 PGA Championship
How They Played
Strategic course management with strong short game and mental toughness
Lasting Impact
Most successful Irish golfer in major championships and European Tour stalwart
Career Honours
- The Open Championship 2007, 2008
- PGA Championship 2008
- World Golf Hall of Fame 2024