Harrington now a bigger star
By Brian Keogh
Padraig Harrington's second Open win will make him an even bigger star than before.
The Dubliner is already a massively popular figure around the world but his management company IMG reckon they are on to a massive winner with a two-time major champion on their books.
His manager Adrian Mitchell said: "It will help secure endorsement deals and make him more marketable to the right kind of companies."
Harrington sported a new logo on his hat during the Open with property giants Oceanico taking out a timely one-tournament deal that paid of handsomely.
But Mitchell revealed that there is more space on the left side of his shirt and a new contract with club manufacturers Wilson, due to lapse on December 31st, is also being discussed.
Judging by the amount of calls he received yesterday, Mitchell is preparing for a busy few weeks.
He said: "My phone has not stopped. I had to replace some memory on my phone because people weren't able to leave messages.
"There was a message for me when I woke up at six and I went to bed at four so you can imagine."
Harrington had a private party for his friends and family Dermot Desmond's Dublin city centre gaming club, The Sporting Emporium, last night.
But he has not yet had time to plan out is schedule beyond the Ryder Cup, which takes place in Kentucky from September 19-21
Set to tee it up again in next week's WGC - Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Harrington will move on to the US PGA in Detroit the following week.
Up 31 places from 40th to ninth in the US FedEx Cup list, he will play at least two of the first three play-off events in New Jersey, Boston, and St Louis before heading to Valhalla for his fifth Ryder Cup.
His participation in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in November has yet to be decided but he is now eligible for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda from October 14-15.
US Open champion Tiger Woods will be absent through injury but Harrington will be there alongside Masters winner Trevor Immelman and the player who wins the US PGA in two weeks time.
The fourth member of the fourball will come from an order of merit of past major winners, currently led by Phil Mickelson.