As Norman Fades, Harrington Cruises to Second British Title Trophy

Trophy News From England

SOUTHPORT, England — They’re dancing in the streets of Ireland for the second year in a row after favorite son Padraig Harrington crashed Greg Norman’s improbable party Sunday in the final round of the 137th British Open at Royal Birkdale.

“Obviously, winning a major puts you in a special club,” Harrington said. “Winning two of them puts you in a new club altogether.

Harrington, who woke up Thursday wondering if his sore right wrist would allow him to defend his trophy, survived three consecutive bogeys starting at the seventh hole and fired a back-nine 4-under 32 that included an eagle-3 to win by four shots at 3-over 283.

Norman, who was tying to become the oldest winner of a major trophy by five years, began with three bogeys. After reclaiming the lead at the turn, Norman could muster only one birdie on the inward nine.

Norman, who has lost seven times when leading a major after 54 holes, was not downcast.

“Quite honestly, I’m sure I surprised a lot of people,” he told the Associated Press.

Poulter thought he could bring England its first British championship trophy since Nick Faldo in 1992, playing bogey-free over his final 15 holes.

“I can only do what I can do,” Poulter said. “And I done my best.”

Harrington, who ended Europe’s eight-year drought in majors with his victory last year, is the first European to walk away with the Claret Jug golf trophy in consecutive years since Scotland’s James Braid did it — 102 years ago.

“I did say to Greg coming down 18 that I was sorry it wasn’t his story that was going to be told,” said Harrington, who punctuated his win with an eagle on the par-5 17th, where he hit a 5-wood to 4 feet.

“But I wanted to win myself. … Greg has been a great champion through the game, and you know, another win at this time in his career would have been the icing on the cake.”

Originally Written by Steve DiMeglio in USA Today