Paddy Morgan sums up a busy last 18 months for Pádraig Harrington in which he followed Ryder Cup disappointment with a sensational season on the PGA Tour Champions that included a maiden senior Major.

Ryder Cup

Padraig Harrington was Europe Ryder Cup captain for the 2020 Ryder Cup, which was delayed until 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Ryder Cup got the go ahead to be played at Whistling Straits in September 2021. Harrington made controversial picks with bringing “The Postman” Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia as wildcards but that backfired as Europe were destroyed 19-9 by the USA.

Golf

Harrington could not concentrate on his own game in 2021 due to all the distractions as Europe Ryder Cup Captain. The Dubliner turned 50 in August 2021 which meant that he would qualify for the senior’s tour in both America and Europe.

Harrington’s schedule was massive for 2021/2022 as he was able to play on DP World Tour, the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions. The amount of travel and different time zones would be a big challenge for Harrington throughout 2022.

2021/2022

Harrington started 2022 by playing on the DP World Tour in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. He finished tied 20th in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and continued his good form with a tied ninth finish at the Dubai Desert Classic.

He went from Dubai to Florida to compete at the Chubb Classic on the Champions Tour but finished well down the leaderboard in tied 56th position.

He played in both The Honda Classic and Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour but his best performance was a tied 42nd at Bay Hill.

His final tournament before The Masters was a tied second finish at the Rapiscan Systems Classic.

Augusta

The three-time major champion qualified for the 2022 Masters after finishing tied fourth in the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Ocean Course. He was leading The Masters early on but unfortunately missed the halfway cut at Augusta.

He finished the month of April at the Insperity Invitational with a tied 25th finish.

The 2008 PGA Championship winner qualified as a past champion for the 2022 edition at Southern Hills but he also missed the cut.

Big Summer

The Dubliner shot a final round of 64 to finish tied second at 2022 Mitsubishi Electric Classic. He continued his improved form as he finished second at the Regions Tradition which was the first seniors major of 2022.

A disappointing final round of 74 by Harrington which meant that he would finish tied 20th at the Kitchen Aid Senior PGA Championship.

Saucon Valley Country Club was the venue for the third seniors major of 2022 which was the U.S. Senior Open. Harrington shot two consecutive rounds of 66 and held on with a final round of 72 to make history by winning his first major in the senior’s game.

July & August

Harrington returned to Ireland to play at the Horizon Irish Open and made it to the weekend to finish tied 30th. He missed the cut at both the Genesis Scottish Open and The 150th Open at St Andrews.

The Seniors Open was rain delayed at Gleneagles but Harrington impressed with four rounds in the 60s to finish runner-up to Darren Clarke. August was a significant month for Harrington with a win at DICK’S Sporting Goods Open and two top five finishes at The Ally Challenge & Shaw Charity Classic.

Remainder of 2022 season

The Dubliner’s unbelievable consistency in the senior game continued as he won his third tournament at the Ascension Charity Classic with three rounds of 65, 66 and 68.

Harrington went into the final event of 2022 Champions Tour in great form after three good finishes at Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS (tied sixth), Dominion Energy Charity Classic (tied third) and TimberTech Championship (fourth).

Charles Schwab

Phoenix Country Club was the venue for the 2022 Charles Schwab Cup Championship. Harrington shot an opening round of 66 and a second round of 64 to leave himself on 12 under at the halfway stage.

His best round was on day three as he shot a round of 62 which included seven birdies and one eagle.

He strolled to victory with a final round of 65 which included six birdies to win by seven shots.

Harrington broke Tom Lehman’s record for the lowest 72 hole record for a PGA Champions Tour event by finishing on 27 under and a tally of 257 for four rounds.

He would of won the season long Charles Schwab rankings if Steven Alker did not finish in the top five but the Dubliner had to settle for second in the rankings after Alker achieving a third place finish.

It was a fantastic season in the senior’s game for Harrington, which bodes well for more success in 2023.