Padraig Harrington's stunning five wood approach to the 17th hole on the final day of The 137th British Open Championship at Royal Birkdale has been voted European Tour Shot of the Year for 2008. Harrington's brilliant effort from 249 yards out when pressure was at its most intense landed just three feet from the pin and he converted the eagle putt to help secure a four shot victory in a brilliant defence of the Claret Jug.
The Dubliner, 37, who was two strokes clear of the field at the time, closed the door on his playing partner Greg Norman of Australia and England's Ian Poulter, who was already in the clubhouse on 287. Harrington finished with a round of 69 for a 72-hole total of 283. Harrington, who went on to win the US PGA Championship at Oakland Hills in August, reflected on his thinking behind that precisely struck five wood which effectively sealed his second major victory.
"On the 17th, I hit my five wood off the tee and hit it really solid. It was good to hit the fairway," he said. "I had 220 yards to the front of the green and 249 yards to the pin. The five wood is my favourite club and I knew I could make birdie if I hit that club. "I was anxious that Greg could make eagle, and if I laid up and I made par, all of a sudden it was very close. I wasn't worried about the guy that was two holes ahead of me and finished [Poulter].
"I was worried if I laid up and made par, I was giving Greg a great chance to get within one shot of me, and one shot is not comfortable going down the 18th." wjohnson@thenational.ae
