For starters, let it be said that if you ever had met Padraig Harrington, you'd have been rooting for him to win the past two majors, which he did win. Rare is there a pro golfer or any pro athlete as down-to-earth friendly as Ireland's great golf export, who won the PGA Championship Sunday.
In some minds, his victories at the British Open and the PGA this summer rate a double asterisk because they occurred while Tiger Woods was out. Fine. But you have to say he is the best of the rest. Although the world golf rankings don't agree, you'd have to consider Harrington second best in the world to Woods.
Harrington was clutch in both majors. He made big shots and huge putts down the stretch, which is what major champions do.
Suddenly,it is worth asking how history will regard Harrington. He has three major titles, the same as Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson (see above) and both of those guys are likely World Golf Hall of Famers. Granted, Harrington hasn't had the career that those two have had, but don't we really judge golfers by their majors? There is no sign he is done winning them He did win one (last year's British Open) when Woods was in the field.