Padraig Harrington wins play-off in dramatic shoot-out to capture Honda Classic
Irishman clinches his first title in seven years with a two-putt over rookie Daniel Berger in storm-hit tournament
Ireland’s Padraig Harrington won his first US PGA title in seven years on Monday, defeating 21-year-old American rookie Daniel Berger in a play-off to capture the storm-hit Honda Classic.
The 43-year-old Dubliner, a three-time major champion who has fallen to 297th in the world rankings, withstood a dramatic morning shoot-out for the US$1.098 million top prize at the US$6.1 million tournament.
Harrington found the water at the par-3 17th in regulation for a double bogey, but sank a tension-packed 15-foot birdie putt at the par-5 18th hole to force the play-off, matching Berger on six-under 274 over 72 holes.
Both began the play-off with pars at 18 and then at 17, Harrington put his tee shot four feet from the cup and Berger found the water. That allowed the Irishman to two-putt for the title.
Harrington won the 2007 and 2008 British Open and 2008 PGA Championship, the last of those being his most recent PGA victory.