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Harrington clinches thrilling Open victory

22/07/2007

Padraig Harrington beat Sergio Garcia in a four-hole playoff to snatch victory in a breathtaking final day of The Open at Carnoustie.

The Irishman ended Europe's eight-year wait for a major after winning the playoff by one stroke.

Garcia, who had led throughout the tournament, had blown a four-stroke lead as both players finished on seven-under par.

Argentina's Andres Romero produced a sensational final round to lead by two strokes after the 16th before crumbling on the final two holes.

Harrington, 35, led by a shot coming into the final hole but found the water twice for a double bogey, mirroring Jean van de Velde's Open nightmare in 1999.

Needing a par to win his first major, Garcia dropped a shot to necessitate the playoff.

After rolling in a three-foot putt on the final playoff hole, Harrington becomes the first Irish winner of The Open since 1947.

Harrington had fought back from six strokes behind to force a playoff after Garcia carded a miserable two-over 73 in his final round after dropping shots on the front nine.

Garcia's quest for a major continues. He finished runner-up twice to Tiger Woods at the 2002 US Open and last year's Open at Hoylake.

But Dubliner Harrington said he was relieved at ending his agonising wait for a major.

"If I had lost I don't know what I would think about playing again," Harrington said.

"I'm sure there is a hell of a party going in Ireland. It's hard to take in.

"It's great to be named as someone who could win, but that brings its own pressure and yes I've had doubts about whether I would ever do it."

Romero had soared up the leaderboard after firing ten birdies to move into a two-shot lead. But the Argentine double-bogeyed the 17th and then dropped a shot at the last to finish on six under and take third place.

Former champion Ernie Els shared fourth with Australian Richard Green, who equalled the course record with a final round of 64.

Defending champion Woods carded a final round of 70 to finish on two-under.

Englishmen Paul Broadhurst (70) and Justin Rose (70) both finished on two-under, with Ireland's Paul McGinley a further stroke back.

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