Jun24 Harington 48 hours
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Padraig Harrington says it still hasn’t sunk in that’s he’s the Open Champion 48 hours after his dramatic playoff victory at Carnoustie.
The Irishman has been talking about the immediate aftermath of his win, and what happened on Sunday evening and Monday morning.
“We went to bed about 4am and I woke up about six, just wide awake,” he said. “I woke up my wife and said, ‘I actually did it – I am the Open champion’. The trophy was at the end of the bed and both of us were just looking at it in awe. Caroline was kind of, ‘Yeah, I can’t believe there’s the trophy and everything, but can we go back to sleep now?'”.
Harrington is thought to have already earned at least five times the £750,000 first prize in sponsorship bonuses – the Bank of Ireland signed up only two months ago – and for Irish golf this will re-intensify the boom triggered by hosting last year’s Ryder Cup.
Harrington spoke of “kids taking up the game” and “more professionals coming through”, but in reality he was just talking through memory. “Nothing’s sunken in yet,” said the 35-year-old.
“You know, I just can’t wait to watch this tournament on TV as I had no concept of some of the things that went on,” he said. “For a start I didn’t realise until 11.30 last night that Andres Romero had a two-shot lead with two to play. No idea at all. That just shows how in the zone I was and what a good place I was in.
“In golfing terms the issue going forward is I do want to do the Open Championship justice and like being the European No 1 last year. I want to feel like I carry the flag well,” he said.
“I definitely think we’ve banished a hang-up,” he said. “The fact that I’ve done it will make a lot of [European players] believe they can do it.
“Phil Mickelson always said it right when he was ever asked whether he was going to win a major,” said Harrington. “Phil always replied he was going to win more than one major. If winning one major is your own and sole goal, then you’re not far off the end of your golf. So I’ve always kept that in my head. It should help me move on.”
