Hall of Famer Padraig Harrington turns TimberTech Championship into a rout

BOCA RATON — Padraig Harrington, a former professional golfer, used to dedicate long hours to practicing at the Old Course at Broken Sound. He would arrive early Monday morning, maybe even sooner, and spend his time rolling putts, hitting chip shots, and meticulously studying the greens’ slopes. He was so dedicated that he once brought a level with him to Augusta National, using it on almost every green during a practice round, which took him over six hours to complete.

However, at the recent PGA Tour Champions TimberTech Championship, the 52-year-old Harrington displayed a more relaxed yet still competitive approach. He understands the essence of golf at his age and doesn’t feel the need to practice as intensely as he did in his younger years.

“I’m too old now for all that,” Harrington admitted after his convincing victory at the TimberTech Championship, where he finished seven shots ahead of his competitors Bernhard Langer and Charlie Wi.

Back in his youth, Harrington would have happily played 54 holes of practice, dedicating himself to every putt and chip. But now, on the Champions Tour, he realizes that he can’t maintain that kind of intensity. He can’t perform the same rigorous work he did as a kid without overwhelming his mind. The slower pace helps him stay focused and prevents mental exhaustion toward the end of the tournament.

More: Padraig Harrington starts strong, finishes even better to win TimberTech Championship

Nevertheless, Harrington still put in the necessary work, sinking crucial putts, hitting powerful drives, and landing accurate shots on the greens. His performance throughout the tournament was exceptional, and he started the final round with a one-shot lead. Despite an early setback on the 9th hole with a bogey, Harrington quickly regained composure and expanded his lead as the round progressed.

Reflecting on his mindset after the setback, Harrington stated, “I had to batten down the hatches from that point onwards… I remained focused, avoiding mistakes and ensuring my pars, forcing Bernhard to catch up with me.”

By the end of the tournament, Harrington had matched Charlie Wi’s low round of the day with an impressive 64, finishing at 16-under 197. He currently stands in third place in the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs, behind Steve Stricker and Langer. Although Harrington won’t win the championship, he continues to play for the runner-up position.

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The Old Course at Broken Sound underwent recent renovations, rendering Langer’s hometown advantage useless as the course structure changed. Harrington may have briefly pondered a more detailed inspection of the course before the tournament, but his extraordinary start, with birdies on six of the first seven holes, diminished any doubts he had.

“He played flawlessly,” acknowledged Langer.

During the trophy ceremony, Harrington openly praised Langer, acknowledging him as someone he greatly admires. Langer holds the record for the most wins on the Tour Champions, making his achievements particularly significant.

However, Harrington should also recognize his own accomplishments. In March, he received the news that he would be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, an honor reflecting his impressive career of nearly 40 worldwide wins, including six on both the PGA Tour Champions and the PGA Tour. Among these victories are three major championships: the 2007 and 2008 British Open and the 2008 PGA Championship, along with two Honda Classic titles.

Harrington admitted that being acknowledged as a Hall of Famer has been an exhilarating experience over the past few months. “I appreciate it because I want to be recognized alongside the greats who are already in the Hall of Fame,” declared the Irishman. “Seeing their names alongside mine gives me a sense of belonging. Every time they mention it, it boosts my confidence and makes me feel taller.”

Today, Harrington can stand even taller with his remarkable victory.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Padraig Harrington wins PGA Tour Champions TimberTech title by seven shots