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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.
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.
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.
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.
IRISHMAN Padraig Harrington got his hands on the Claret Jug after beating Sergio Garcia in a play-off to win The Open at Carnoustie last year.
Now Harrington bids to become the first European since James Braid in 1906 to retain the trophy — and gives us the lowdown on Birkdale’s four killer holes.
1st, 450yds, Par 4Depending on the wind, there is a chance to be aggressive with a driver off the tee.
A bunker in play at 232 yards means a safe tee shot requires a semi-blind second, whereas a driver should carry the trouble and reward the risk by presenting an easier approach.
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Dougherty struggling after tragic bereavmentBy GEOFF SWEET
SCOUSER Nick Dougherty will play Royal Birkdale with a fantasy caddie on his bag: his late mum, Ennis.
Dougherty is praying this desperate measure will help him come to terms with her shock death from a heart attack in April.
Alliss delivers Cup warning to MontgomerieBy GEOFF SWEET
COLIN MONTGOMERIE’S amazing Ryder Cup record will not save him from the axe when skipper Nick Faldo names his European team, says Peter Alliss.
Monty has won 23.5 Ryder Cup points, second only to Faldo himself, but the 45-year-old Scot is down to 80th in the world rankings.
Poulter tips Westwood for Open gloryBy GEOFF SWEET
IAN POULTER reckons Lee Westwood can put the icing on the cake of a great English sporting summer.
Poulter, the man who famously wore Union Jack trousers at Troon in 2004, tips Westy to win The Open and become the first Brit since Paul Lawrie in 1999 to bag a Major.
