Wilson Staff Advisory Member Padraig Harrington beat Sergio Garcia in a four-hole playoff on Sunday to capture The 136th Open Championship title at Carnoustie, earning the 59th Major tournament title won with Wilson irons.
It is Padraig’s first major title and the first Open won by a European player since 1999, when Paul Lawrie won on the same Carnoustie track, also playing Wilson irons.
Harrington used a Wilson driver, fairway wood, hybrid, irons and wedges to clinch The Open Championship title in what is already being called one of the greatest finishes in Open history.
He began the day six shots off the pace but quickly moved into contention with four birdies in the first eleven holes behind precise Wilson Staff Pi iron play and strategic use of his Wilson Staff hybrid both off the tee and various fairway and rough lies. On the 14th hole, he ripped a Wilson Staff Pi 7-iron 226-yards to twelve feet and calmly rolled in the eagle putt to move to -9 and take the outright lead for the first time.
“Congratulations to Padraig on his breakthrough victory at the Open Championship, a win that truly touched every member of the Wilson Golf team,” said Tim Clarke, general manager, Wilson Golf. “As Padraig said after the victory, he’s a worker, and he earned this victory through hard work and dedication. No player on tour better exemplifies the focus and determination of the Wilson Golf brand than this great player and his success mirrors the success that we are striving to achieve every day. We are proud to have him on our team.”
Harrington is the first Irishman to win The Open Championship since Fred Daly in 1947 and joins seven other Wilson Staff Advisory Members to raise the Claret Jug. including Gene Sarazen (1932), Sam Snead (1946), Arnold Palmer ( 1961 & 1962), Johnny Miller (1976), John Daly (1995) and Paul Lawrie (1999).
Padraig’s Major breakthrough is his second history-making victory of the season. Earlier this year he became the first Irishman ever to win the Irish Open on the European PGA Tour. His victory moves him to #6 in the world, and continues the very successful season on the professional tours for Wilson Staff Tour players.
Harrington, a Wilson Staff professional since 1998, is instrumental in the development of the new Wilson Staff irons, driver and wedges. He plays the Wilson Staff Pi (Performance Irons/#3-PW), Dd6+ Driver, Df6 (Fairway #5-wood), Dh6 Hybrid (19°) and Tw7 Wedges (52° and 60°). He also wears Wilson Staff headwear and carries a Wilson Staff Tour Bag.
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