Harrington wins British Open
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) - July 20, 2008 Harrington became the first European in more than a century to
win golf's oldest championship two years is a row, smashing a pair
of fairway metals into the par 5s Sunday that allowed him to pull
away from misktake-prone Greg Norman and hold off a late charge by
Ian Poulter.
Even in the relentless wind, Harrington managed to shoot 32 on
the back nine to close with a 1-under 69 for a four-shot victory.
And to think he gave himself only a 75 percent chance of teeing
off on Thursday, and only a 50 percent chance of finishing.
No one bothered asking him the odds of winning.
"I knew my game was there, but maybe this week I made the right
decision at the right time, and got the right break at the right
time," Harrington said.
He won last year at Carnoustie despite a double bogey on the
final hole, beating Sergio Garcia in a playoff. This time,
Harrington was afforded a pleasurable walk along the dunes of Royal
Birkdale toward the 18th green, with the only suspense his margin
of victory.
Harrington finished at 3-over 283, becoming the first European
since James Braid in 1905-06 to win the Open in successive years.
It was his first victory since the British Open last year, and
moved him to No. 3 in the world.
"I'm quite enjoying this," Harrington said, cradling the
claret jug. "I don't think I'll get down off the stage."
Norman, at 53 trying to become the oldest major champion, lost
his two-shot lead in three holes and still had a one-shot lead
going to the back nine. But he made eight bogeys in 30 mph wind and
closed with a 77 to tie for third with Henrik Stenson (71).
