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Harrington cruises to victory at St Andrews

08/10/2006

Padraig Harrington stormed to victory by five shots to win the Dunhill links championship at St Andrews.

Putting his personal Ryder Cup disappointment behind him, the Irishman repeated his triumph in the 2002 after carding a final round of 68 to seal the tenth European Tour title of his career.

Harrington finished on 16 under, five strokes ahead of England's Anthony Wall, American Edward Loar and overnight leader Bradley Dredge.

South African Ernie Els eagled the 18th hole to finish in fifth place on ten under.

There was little joy for Harrington's Ryder Cup team-mates with Paul Casey finishing on nine under with Lee Westwood one stroke further back.

But it was Harrington's day at the Old Course as he pockets a winners cheque for £427,441.

The 35-year-old birded the first to cut Dredge's lead but the Welshman reclaimed it with a sublime birdie on the fifth with a long bunker shot.

But Harrington birdied the ninth and capitalised on Dredge's double-bogey five on the 11th to cruise to victory.

The Irishman capped off a memorable day after partnering JP McManus to victory in the team competition.

The win sets up a tussle between Casey and Harrington for the Order of Merit title with Casey holding a slender lead going into the Mallorca Classic in a fortnight.

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