Harrington makes history at ISPS HANDA Senior Open...full results

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Pádraig Harrington became the fifth player in history to win both The Open Championship and the ISPS HANDA Senior Open as he cruised to a three-shot victory in Europe’s only Senior Major Championship at Sunningdale.

The Irishman held a two-shot overnight lead, but he quickly extended that as he got off to a dream start with an eagle at the first and maintained his command to sign for a closing -3 67.

On another day of low scoring over the Old Course, he carded an eagle, three birdies and two bogeys to reach a winning total of -16  with fellow former Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjørn and American Justin Leonard locked in a tie for second.

Harrington joins Bob Charles, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Darren Clarke as a winner of the Claret Jug and the Senior Open trophy.

It is his third Senior Major victory, having become a two-time U.S. Senior Open winner last month.

Harrington, an ambassador for title partner ISPS HANDA, is the third Irish winner of the Senior Open, after Clarke and the late Christy O'Connor Jnr, a two-time winner.

"As you get older you realize a lot of things, [including] legacy," he said.

"You want to win on a great golf course like Sunningdale, you want to do things that stand out and having won The Open, and now winning the Senior Open it does give some validation. It is certainly satisfying to do it, extend your career that way.

"There are some great names on the trophy. I was looking at the board inside with all the winners and it's a deep sense of satisfaction knowing that I've done both."

After twice finishing as a runner-up, including on his Senior Open debut in 2022, Harrington admitted time was of the essence as he sought to join an exclusive club.

"You come to this stage of your career and there's only a certain window," he added.

"You can win later on as a senior but the window is up to 55-56 they say, so you want to get it done.

"Having had a couple of second places, I didn't want to leave it too long."

eurpeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)