Padraig Harrington admitted his second British Open triumph was even sweeter than his debut win last year at Carnoustie.

"I always felt I was going to win another major but I didn't think it would come so soon," the Irishman said after firing a nerveless final round of 69 to win by four strokes from England's Ian Poulter. "It is very sweet that it has come around so soon."

Harrington, playing in the final group of a major for the first time in his career, feels the way he dealt with that experience will enable him to go on and claim more of the game's biggest prizes before the end of a career that has already made one of the most successful sportsmen his country has ever produced.

"I really felt good out there," he said. "I hit the ball probably every bit as solid as I've ever hit it, and that will give me confidence going forward, definitely."

A superb eagle on the 17th gave Harrington the luxury of a four-stroke lead going down the last and the luxury of being able to soak up the atmosphere — something he had missed out on when he ran up a six on the 72nd hole at Carnoustie last year before finally winning in the play-off.

"I was saying that to my caddie, obviously we didn't get to enjoy coming down the 18th hole, and even in the playoff we were focused.

"It was a fantastic experience coming down there knowing I had won the Open. I hit a nice tee shot, I hit a great second shot.

"It's always nice to know that you have no more work to do, it's all finished. There is no more comfortable and more pleasurable feeling than having a four shot lead and knowing nothing can go wrong."

Harrington's triumph came at the end of a week that started with him contemplating pulling out of the Open with a wrist injury.

Looking back, he believes the injury actually did him a huge favour by taking the pressure off him — it resulted in the bookmakers lengthening the odds on him winning to 50-1 — and also ensuring he was well rested ahead of what was a gruelling four days in terrible weather conditions.

"There is no question it took a lot of pressure and stress off me. It was a good distraction to have.

"And another plus was the fact that only played nine holes in practice, and everybody will tell you this has been physically a tough and mentally the toughest week we could ever have in golf.

"The fact that I didn't play three practice rounds like normal for a major was a big bonus. I was very fresh going into the weekend, and this 36 holes was a real battle. The wrist injury was a saver for me, really."

AFP

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