Harrington Wins Second British Open Title

The walk down the 18th fairway this time was a little sweeter for Padraig Harrington as we won his second consecutive British Open title. Harrington held a four-shot lead going to the 18th before hoisting the oldest trophy in golf at one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world, again.

Along the way Harrington stopped to share the moment with newlywed Greg Norman who at age 53 was turning heads staying atop of the leader board for most of the tournament.

That was until the par-3 12th when he missed a 10-foot par putt and Poulter made a 15-foot birdie on the 16th to take the lead.

Fresh off his marriage to tennis legend Chris Evert, the Shark went into the final round of the British Open with a two-shot lead but couldn’t hold on making numerous bogeys and closing with a 77 taking third in the British Open.

"I did say to him coming down 18 that I was sorry it wasn't his story that was going to be told," Harrington said about Norman. "I did feel that, but I wanted to win myself. In this game, you have to take your chances when you get them."

Harrington took his chance when he smashed a pair drives into par 5s that helped him finish with a back nine score card of 32.

The win solidified Harrington’s place as one of Europe’s greatest players and the only won to win the British Open two years in a row.

"Obviously, winning a major puts you in a special club," Harrington said after closing with a 1-under 69. "Winning two of them puts you in a new club altogether."

From the beginning, It wasn't quite sure if the 36 year old Irishman would even compete the British Open since injuring his wrist eight days ago. The injury was so sore, Harrington could only practice nine holes on Tuesday and only took three swings on the eve of defending his British Open title.

In all honesty, Harrington gave himself a 75 percent chance of starting and 50 percent chance of finishing.

"It was a great distraction for me," Harrington said speaking of the injury. "It took a lot of pressure off me. It took a lot of stress off me. The fact that I didn't play three practice rounds like normal for a major was a big bonus. I was very fresh going into the weekend, and this 36 holes was a real battle."

Bodog sportsbook is currently offering golf odds on the 2008 Ryder cup with the USA 5/4 and Europe 8/11.