Open Championships 2012:

British Open History – Can Padraig Harrington Win His 3rd Straight Open Championship?

By Marco Stassi

It has been over 50 years since Peter Thomson won 3 consecutive British Opens. He won in 1954, 1955, and 1956. At the 2009 British Open to be played at Turnberry from July 16 – 19 Padraig Harrington will attempt to duplicate the 3-peat of Peter Thomson. Harrington has won 3 of the last 8 Major golf championships, the 2007 & 2008 British Opens along with the 2008 PGA Championship. So he is very capable of winning at the highest levels. A third consecutive British Open victory would be a monumental accomplishment.

In 2008 Padraig Harrington won his second consecutive Open Championship at Royal Birkdale by four strokes over runner up Ian Poulter. He was the first European player to successfully defend his Open title since James Braid in 1906.

Harrington was locked into a close duel with Greg Norman for the first 12 holes. After three consecutive bogeys starting at the par 3 seventh, Harrington went from to two up to one down. But the Irishman made a clutch 5-foot putt to save par and get back into a tie for the lead at the par 4 10th. When Harrington stepped to the tee on 13 here had been just one birdie at the 499-yard, par 4 hole. He conservatively hit a 3 iron into the middle of the fairway. This left him with 210 yards to the front of the green. Harrington hit a shot to fifteen feet and rolled it in for birdie to take the lead.

Harrington would 2 putt fro birdie on hole number 15 and for the second time in four days, he made eagle at the 17th and you could hear the roars all the way from Dublin. This gave him an insurmountable four-stroke lead.

Padraig won the 2007 Open, his first major championship, in a playoff with Sergio Garcia. Standing on the 18th tee with a one stroke lead, Harrington’s drive found the famous burn that runs throughout Carnoustie. His third shot would find the burn again and brought back memories of Jean Van de Velde’s meltdown at the 1999 British Open. But from 40 yards away, Harrington ran his pitch shot to four feet. He sank the left to right breaking putt and escaped with a double bogey.

Garcia needing a par to win couldn’t get the job done as he finished with a bogey 5. Harrington would birdie the first playoff hole while Garcia bogeyed for a 2 shot lead that would hold up over the 4 hole playoff.

Throughout its 138 years the Open Championship has produced many memorable moments. To learn more about British Open courses, past champions and other highlights, please visit British Open History

Marco Stassi is a gourmet cook who is interested in helping others enjoy life while living a more healthy lifestyle. He is an avid golfer and workout fanatic.

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