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Harrington holds nerve to win Irish Open

20/05/2007

Padraig Harrington edged a sudden-death play-off against Bradley Dredge to win a thrilling Irish Open at Adare Manor.

Harrington became the first home winner of the tournament for 25 years after parring the first extra hole.

Both men had parred the 18th to finish the tournament on an overall five under par 283, four strokes ahead of the rest of the field.

Harrington had started the day with a three-shot lead, and recovered from bogeying the second hole by birdying the third.

A poor drive on the fifth saw his lead cut to a single stroke after Englishman Simon Wakefield birded the seventh.

The Irishman then birdied the seventh and eighth and produced a stunning shot to eagle the next hole after a ten-foot putt to extend his advantage to four strokes.

The drama continued as Harrington bogeyed the 11th which was capitalised on by Dredge who birded the 12th.

Harrington was three strokes clear with five holes to play but Dredge cranked up the pressure with birdies on the 13th and 14th.

The world number 12 maintained his lead with a couple of pars but bogeyed the 17th after missing the green.

Dredge putted from three-feet to birdie the 17th with both players making par fives on the final hole to force an extra hole.

In the dramatic play-off, both players pushed their drives right with Dredge following that with a poor third shot leaving Harrington to par the hole and seal victory.

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