Padraig Harrington delighted to win first title in two years
Padraig Harrington has spoken of his delight after the three-time major winner claimed his first title in two years at the Johor Open in Malaysia.
The two-time Open champion fired a 69 in the last round of the tournament to finish on 20 under par, three shots ahead of 19-year-old Noh Seung-yul. The South Korean went round in an impressive 65 on the last day.
Harrington told reporters that: “It's always nice to win and it's even nicer when there's been a bit of a drought. I really preferred the conditions that were there in the last two days where it was windy and it was tough to go at all the pins. It was just
perfect weather, perfect conditions.
'My week to win'
“The course was in great shape and I knew people could make a lot of birdies out there so it was in my mindset that I had to make some birdies out there, even if I made some bogeys, I needed to make plenty of birdies. I would have to say that things went
my way all four rounds this week. There is no doubt about it — it was my week to win.
"If you'd followed me for the four days, I don't think anybody would have questioned the fact that my name must have been written on this trophy before this tournament started.”
Play on the last day was delayed for two hours due to a lightning storm, but the 39-year-old seemed to relish the adverse weather conditions as he claimed three birdies in the first four holes.
He found the water at the fifth, but after three more birdies he reaffirmed his lead. Even though he dropped another two shots towards the end of his round, he managed to hang on and pick up his first trophy since the 2008 USPGA Championship.
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