Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
The Czech bounce of Harrington was breath of fresh air
HOW refreshing – and exciting – to see Padraig Harrington go close at the Czech Masters.
Andrea Pavan may have pocketed the headlines and €166,660 purse – but Padraig also played some wonderful golf at the Albatross Golf Resort.
The three-time major champion did everything possible to secure his first win in two years.
But in the end he was pipped by Pavan, who shot a final round 67 to seal his first ever European Tour triumph.
The inspired Italian was tipped at 50/1 in last week’s column, so let’s hope you were on him.
It was a special day for him, but from an Irish point of view, how awesome was it to see Padraig back in the mix again?
It was super to see him play some of his best golf in years.
To shoot two bogeys all week was remarkable. Align that with 22 birdies and he has a lot to be positive about.
I followed Padraig at the Irish Open in July and on the second day he was terrible.
There’s no point sugar coating it – his game looked in a state of tragic decline.
At Ballyliffin, his days at the top table looked to be over. It was sad to see.
So why and how the sudden upturn in fortunes? Well, he recently lost his full time status on the PGA Tour, so maybe he’s playing with a newfound hunger and focus again.
He has reacted positively to a wake-up call.
Harrington has enjoyed a remarkable career to date but like all golfers, an inner pride drives him. He’ll be determined there are more highlights to come.
Time is not on his side – he turns 47 on Friday – but the level of his performance in Prague suggests he can be a contender for the remainder of his regular tour career.
He is hitting the ball further than ever and all the old positive traits were in evidence last week.
Tiger Woods has made a remarkable return to form after injury, and it’s great to see Padraig – the Irish Tiger – also being competitive again.
He deserves a lot of credit for turning a dismal season on its head.
Father time will win in the end but younger Irish players should look and learn while Harrington is still there to show an example.
His work ethic and ability to bring a steely focus every time he tees it up, even when he is pawing for form, is extraordinary.
Des Smyth holds the record as the oldest Irish winner on tour when he triumphed at the 2001 Madeira Island Open at the age 48.
Don’t rule out Harrington breaking that record.
He has nothing left to prove, but the Czech Masters showed he’s capable of rolling back the years.