Padraig Harrington became only the fourth golfer to defend his US Senior Open title on Sunday, winning by four shots at Scioto Country Club in Ohio. He also joined Miller Barber as the only three-time winner in the event’s 46-year history.
The Irishman, who returns to Royal Birkdale next week for the Open Championship, the site of his 2008 victory, is the first player to win back-to-back US Senior Opens since Allen Doyle in 2006.
Harrington started the final day one shot behind but fired a four-under 66 to successfully defend his title. He was the only player in the field to register sub-70 scores for all four rounds.
Harrington, 54, is one of the most successful European golfers in history, with three Majors to his name and multiple victories on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour. A member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Harrington became the first European to win back-to-back Majors when he won the 2008 US PGA Championship just a few weeks after winning the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
He has been a Wilson player since 1998, marking one of the longest brand/player associations in the game. Since signing, he has gone on to win three Major titles whilst Sunday’s was his fourth senior Major title and his 12th PGA Tour Champions victory.
“I like creating records, and to be part of that is a big deal. It just shows how hard it is,” said Harrington. “It feels great, but there wasn’t the drama we normally provide down the stretch. I knew I had a nice lead, which let me play to the middle of the greens and hit the shots. I hit some big shots coming home to take all the stress out of it.”
Harrington sits alongside legends such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Lee Trevino in winning both The Open Championship and the US Senior Open.
Bob Thurman, global general manager for golf at Wilson, said: “Padraig is a truly wonderful ambassador for Wilson and his history-making successes with our golf equipment continue to excite and inspire us all. He is a credit to the game of golf and we’re delighted to celebrate his fourth senior Major title with him.”
Harrington uses an Wilson RB Utility Iron, Wilson Staff Model CB irons (5-PW) and Wilson Staff Model Forged wedges (52°, 58° and 64°).