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IRISHMAN Padraig Harrington won his second Open Championship in succession in superb style on a windswept final day at Royal Birkdale.
Harrington carded a closing round of 69 for a three over total of 283, finishing four shots clear of Ryder Cup team-mate Ian Poulter to become the first European to successfully defend the title since James Braid in 1906.
Hero Harrington chases a second Claret JugBy ANDY DUNN
PADRAIG HARRINGTON is supposed to have a bad wrist — let’s hope it’s better at six o’clock this evening.
Because he might need it to be in fine working order to hoist the Claret Jug aloft and become the first European in a century to retain an Open title.
Norman goes into final round with two-shot leadBy GEOFF SWEET
GREG NORMAN last night insisted: “I’m no choker — I can win The Open.”
The 53-year-old Aussie will today bid to hold onto his two-shot lead at Royal Birkdale and become the oldest Major champion in history.
I'm only average, but I won't do a LyleCOLIN MONTGOMERIE has vowed never to 'do a Sandy Lyle' and walk out of The Open.
He blasted his 'average' performance after a third-round total of 74 left him on a disappointing 12-over par for the week.
But, despite his high score, Monty vowed to continue his fight at Royal Birkdale. He said: "I was three-over after seven. The course is playable, I just shot an average score. But I will never tire of playing at The Open."
Just watch the birdies fly inIAN POULTER promised a birdie blitz today after seeing his Open hopes fade thanks to five bogeys.
The worst arrived at the short 12th, where the Ryder Cup player was in line for a birdie only to three-putt.
He later bogeyed the two par fives coming in but is still in the mix after a 75 for 218 — eight over along with fellow-Englishman Graeme Storm.
GREG NORMAN will go head-to-head with defending champion Padraig Harrington in the final pairing of a remarkable Open Championship tomorrow.
Harrington expects a fierce battle with the 53-year-old Aussie, who leads by two shots after another day of battering winds.
Irishman Graeme leads Open after day oneBy MIKE ALLAN
IRISHMAN Graeme McDowell (above) came out smiling from a day of wind, rain and cold that left others either battered or furious in the first round of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
Winner of the Scottish Open last Sunday, the 28-year-old Ulsterman had the luck of the draw to be out late as conditions eased and with a one under par 69 joined American Rocco Mediate and Australian Robert Allenby in the clubhouse lead.
NORTHERN Ireland's Graeme McDowell today claimed his second European Tour title of the season at the Barclays Scottish Open-and with it virtually sealed a Ryder Cup debut.
McDowell carded a final-round 68 at Loch Lomond to finish 13 under par, two shots ahead of South African James Kingston, with Australia's Richard Green and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez a shot further back in third.
Padraig happy to be back in pictureBy GEOFF SWEET
PADRAIG HARRINGTON'S year as Open champion is ending in a blinding flash and some medical advice on how to cure the constant headaches that accompanied his new-found fame.
When the Irishman captured the Claret Jug after a dramatic play-off win over Sergio Garcia at Carnoustie he never imagined the impact his victory would have.
Sergio inspired by Nadal's Wimbledon triumphBy GEOFF SWEET
SERGIO GARCIA (right) hopes a quiet word with Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal will fire him towards that elusive first Major triumph.
Garcia, 28, is praying he can complete a Spanish hat-trick at Birkdale next Sunday after Spain’s fabulous win at Euro 2008 and Nadal’s gripping victory over Roger Federer on Centre Court.
Open chiefs turn video on slow play culpritsBy GEOFF SWEET
TOP referee John Paramor (right) will turn a secret speed camera on the world’s top golfers at Birkdale — to prevent the SLOW play that spoiled the Masters.
Filmed offenders will be shown a ‘video nasty’ of their time-wasting habits.
Els hands out warning to world No.1By GEOFF SWEET
ERNIE ELS has urged Tiger Woods not to even think about returning to golf until next March.
Three years ago Els, the 2002 Open king at Muirfield, had his knee rebuilt.
FIVE OPEN CONTENDERSTWO wins on the PGA Tour already this year — the first American under 25 to achieve that since Tiger Woods in 2000.
