Padraig Harrington

Pádraig Harrington is an Irish professional golfer who most notably won three major championships: twice at the British Open and once at the PGA Championship. His accomplishments rank him third in the Golf World Rankings, behind Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia.

Harrington was born on August 31, 1971 in Ballyroan, Dublin, Ireland. He turned professional at a somewhat late age, having worked in an accounting business for a couple of years. NFL quarterback Joey Harrington is his distant relative.

Harrington's entry to professional golf was immediately successful; he won the 1996 Peugeot Spanish Open on May 12, the same year he joined the European Tour. He represented Ireland in the World Cup and won in 1997 with Paul McGinley. He also represented Europe in the Ryder Cup and won in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008.

Harrington's most notable achievement came in 2007, when he won by one stroke at the 2007 Open Championship against Sergio García in a 4-hole playoff at Carnoustie. In 60 years, Harrington became the first Irishman to win The British Open, and the first winner from Ireland. He retained his hold on the Claret Jug a year later, winning the 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, overcoming Ian Poulter with a four strokes win. Harrington became the first European golfer to retain the Claret Jug since 1906.

Three weeks later, Harrington claimed his second consecutive major championship and his third Major title by winning the 2008 PGA Championship. He won with three under par, two strokes ahead of Sergio García and Ben Curtis. In 78 years, he became the first European to win the PGA Championship, and again, the first winner from Ireland.