Padraig Harrington Had Some Harsh Self-Criticism After Major Collapse

Padraig Harrington missed out on a second senior major championship of his career in heartbreaking fashion last night, with some costly late errors meaning he finished one shot behind eventual winner Angel Cabrera at the Senior PGA Championship at Congressional.

The Irishman entered Sunday’s final round in a tie for seventh position, although he was just two shot behinds the leaders. What followed was some scintillating golf from the 53-year old, with Harrington seven-under for his round through the first 14 holes.

That was enough to give him a two-shot lead at that point, although disaster would soon strike on the next hole.

Padraig Harrington would card a double-bogey on the 15th, a result of taking two attempts to escape the rough after a wild drive off the tee. He would then miss a birdie opportunity at the 16th, before three-putting to bogey the final hole.

In the end, he would fall short by just one stroke, finishing in a tie for second place.

Padraig Harrington Had Self-Criticism After Collapse Cost Him Major Glory

While Padraig Harrington has experienced quite a bit of success since making the transition to the senior ranks, this latest tournament does continue a rather concerning trend for the Dubliner in the season’s biggest events.

Remarkably, he has now finished in second place in no fewer than five senior major championships since 2022. Being in a position to win those events so often is certainly encouraging, although his tally of one victory in the five majors is perhaps a couple short of what his overall play deserved.

If you are to believe the man himself, Harrington feels that his own bravado might have something to do with it.

Speaking after his round, the former Open champion suggested that his fatal error on the 15th tee came down to overconfidence, something that has been a problem throughout his golfing life.

I have a lifelong problem with getting confident and cocky and I did on the 15th tee box.

It’s such a simple tee shot, a 5 wood with a little draw down there. I just totally didn’t get into it enough, then I panicked at the last moment and his a big hook.

It’s always plagued me my whole life since I’ve been a kid, I just get overconfident. I would have been much better off if I got to the 15th hole and there was water everywhere, I probably would have done a much better job.

It follows me around that I get overconfident. If I had the ability to do what I say I’d do, I’d be the best player in the world. But unfortunately I don’t.

This tournament capped off a remarkable couple of weeks for Angel Cabrera, who won his second major in as many weeks after claiming victory at the Regions Tradition in Alabama last week.

The Argentine only recently returned to the golfing circuit, having spent 30 months in prison in his homeland after being convicted of assaulting two of his former parters.

As for Padraig Harrington, his attention will soon shift to the third major of the year, with the Kaulig Companies Championship set to take place in Ohio next month.

Padraig Harrington Had Some Harsh Self-Criticism After Major Collapse

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