January 5th, 2009
Harrington honoured by British golf writers
The Association of Golf Writers in Britain has honoured Padraig Harrington for his outstanding contribution to golf in 2008.
The Irishman picks up the award for the second year in succession – becoming only the third player in history to do so. Tony Jacklin won the award in 1969 and 1970 and Peter Oosterhuis was honoured in 1973 and 1974.
Harrington received over 90% of the votes after a year that saw him triumph in last year’s Open and PGA championships.
“To have one great year and win a major is fantastic, but to follow it up by winning another two majors in the following year [2008] was beyond anything I could have hoped for,” said Harrington.
European Tour Order of Merit winner Robert Karlsson came second with third-place awarded to the recently retired Annika Sorenstam.