Golf Business News – Harrington rewrites records with advanced public success
Pádraig Harrington became the fifth player to win the Open and the ISPS Handa Senior Open and won his second senior Grand Slam title of the season at Sunningdale.
The Irishman won his second U.S. Senior Open last month, with three leads in Thomas Bjørn and Justin Leonard for his third senior big win.
Harrington won the Open in 2007 and defended the championship in 2008, joining Bob Charles, Darren Clarke, Gary Player and Tom Watson, the only one in history to win the Claret jug and Senior Open Trophy.
The 53-year-old started the day with a two-stroke lead over Leonard, adding to three Eagles immediately on the old court in Sunningdale. Further gains on the sixth and ninth holes extended his lead to four strokes, but after running four birdies from the ninth sixth hole, Bjørn moved to twice.
Dane’s momentum was stopped by bogey on the 16th, although she put down her own photos at the age of 17ThHarrington maintained a three-point lead on the 18th tee.
Playing partner Leonard also tried to put pressure on, but eventually signed 68 2 and 13 under 13. Harrington hit his approach safely in the 18th Green game, with 67 putts at 67, 16 under par and his 11th victory since joining the 1950s.
“I’m so happy to win, but I’m very happy with my two Opens winnings in the Senior Open,” Harrington said. “The fact is, only five people did it.”
Win with Wilson
Harrington performed well at Sunningdale with his Wilson employee CB Irons and ZM Model Model Wedges, recording 21 birdies and one eagle for his historic three-point shooting percentage.
The victory represents another major milestone in the longest player equipment partnership for modern golf courses – a 27-season relationship between Wilson Golf and the most successful travel ambassador in recent decades. Harrington now has won 43 professional victories worldwide and has won 11 titles on the PGA Tour, with multiple victories in each of the past four seasons.
Looking ahead to 2026, he has the opportunity to become the first player ever to win a back-to-back title in both open and senior open titles as Gleneagles prepares to host ISPS Handa Senior Open.
“We are very excited about Padraig, who has been outstanding for more than two decades on behalf of Wilson,” said Bob Thurman, general manager of Wilson Golf. “He is not only one of the greatest ambassadors in golf, but the sport as a whole, we can’t make him part of the Wilson family.”
“Padraig has always had a strong connection to the Open, and it’s recently the Senior Open,” Thurman added. “Many people forget that he barely missed a shot in 2022 and then lost in the playoffs the following year. Seeing him finally lifting the trophy and ensuring his place in the history book is very special for all of us in Wilson.”
