Pádraig Harrington Eyes Major Return After Senior Success
Irish golf legend Pádraig Harrington has set his sights on returning to the winner's circle at mainstream major championships in 2025, following a stellar year on the seniors circuit that saw him capture two major titles.
The Dubliner, who won both the Senior Open Championship and US Senior Open this year, believes he remains a genuine threat at golf's biggest events despite being 54 years old. Speaking exclusively to RTÉ Sport, Harrington revealed the hunger that drove him to his historic hat-trick of majors between 2007 and 2008 burns as strong as ever.
Breaking Barriers for Irish Golf
Harrington's breakthrough at Carnoustie in 2007 ended a 60-year drought for Irish golf, becoming the first player from Ireland to win a major since Fred Daly's 1947 Open Championship triumph. This achievement represented more than personal success; it marked Ireland's emergence as a genuine force in world golf, inspiring a generation of young Irish players.
The Stackstown golfer followed up by successfully defending his Open title at Royal Birkdale before claiming the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills just a month later, establishing himself as one of Europe's premier golfers during a golden period for the continent's players.
Strategic Approach to Major Success
Unlike Tom Watson's miraculous near-miss at Turnberry in 2009 at age 59, Harrington believes any future major success will require careful preparation and consistent form leading into the tournaments.
"I don't necessarily think I'm gonna go in and win one on the blind, like a Tom Watson," Harrington explained. "I think if I'm going to win one, you'll see me in contention in some regular events going into it."
The three-time major champion has qualified for every 2025 major except the Masters and sees particular opportunity at next year's US Open venue, Shinnecock Hills, which he describes as playing "like a links."
Challenging Golf's Traditional Thinking
Harrington offered a fascinating perspective on how golf's establishment historically treated long drivers, describing it as a form of institutional bullying that undermined talented players who didn't fit the traditional mould.
"They were generally bullied into being bad players. The whole golfing world, the media bullied Tiger Woods into thinking he was a bad driver," he said, challenging the conventional wisdom about one of golf's greatest champions.
This insight reflects Harrington's broader understanding of how sporting narratives can be shaped by established interests, sometimes to the detriment of innovation and progress in the game.
Representing Irish Excellence
At 54, Harrington remains one of the longest hitters on the senior circuit and continues to demonstrate that Irish athletes can compete at the highest level well into their fifties. His success serves as inspiration for athletes across Ireland who refuse to accept limitations imposed by age or conventional thinking.
As he prepares for another assault on golf's biggest prizes, Harrington embodies the spirit of determination and excellence that defines Irish sport at its best. His journey from breakthrough champion to senior star demonstrates the enduring quality that has made Irish golf a respected force worldwide.
The full interview with Pádraig Harrington is available on RTÉ Radio One's Saturday Sport programme.