Monday, 23rd July 2007 at 10:28 pm

Padraig Harrington’s Carnoustie dream

The sheer drama of it all made it as memorable a Major as we’ve had, the final four-hole duel a rivetting crescendo to an extraordinary four days at Carnoustie. Whether Sergio Garcia will ever quite recover from his play-off loss remains to be seen; after leading for four days, the genial Spaniard must have woken up this morning truly gutted. That will happen away from the limelight for now; Garcia’s conqueror, however, will be getting far more limelight.

Winning the Open Championship has given Padraig Harrington instantly elevated status, his Major triumph vaulting him into golf’s uber elite. And where Zach Johnson and Angel Cabrera emerged from golf’s periphery to win the year’s first two Majors, Harrington has considerably more pedigree; this could easily be the first of several Majors for the Irishman.

The first one still needs time to sink in, though, and with Ireland still in the throes of celebrating their Carnoustie champion, Harrington won’t be allowed to forget his triumph any time soon. But then, no one who was at Carnoustie will forget a quite remarkable finish to this year’s Open, and that includes Harrington; unfortunately for a Spanish golfer still without a Major, the memory will be just as unshakeable for Sergio Garcia.

• Padraig Harrington talks to reporters on his return to Ireland.