Padraig Harrington opened the new European Tour season with a dramatic last hole victory at the Omega Hong Kong Open today. The Dubliner needed to birdie his last two holes after South African Hennie Otto had charged past him with a 65 and posted the clubhouse target at 10-under-par.
He almost blew it on the 16th, but saved par, regained his composure and birdied the par-four 17th to set up a thrilling finale. Taking to final tee tied with Otto, Harrington played a confident tee shot down the middle, an approach over the water to 20 feet and then delighted the galleries at the Hong Kong Golf Club to sink the winning putt and complete a round of 66.
Harrington took the title by one stroke from the unfortunate Otto, who finished three shots clear of defending champion Fredrik Jacobson, England's Chris Gane, Darren Clarke and Thomas Bjorn who were all tied for third on seven-under-par.
In November last year, Harrington flew to Taiwan for the opening tournament of the 2003 season and left as champion of the BMW Asian Open. This week he did the same, overcoming difficulties in his swing and concentration to land the eighth title of his career and make the perfect start to the 2004 season.
"I was happy with my game, I was expecting to do well and knew that a lot of people would have to shoot well to keep up with me," he said. "The first nine holes I focused really well, hit all the fairways, all the greens and had 15 footers all the way - it was as easy a three under par as I've ever shot.
" I didn't particularly like the tee shot on 10 and was just trying to stay ahead of (overnight leader) Christopher Hanell over the next three holes and it was only when I got to 16 I realised Hennie had overtaken me. My mindset changed totally, got very aggressive and really got back into focus on those last three holes there. It was nice to turn it around like that."
Harrington overshot the 16th and was faced with a tricky chip back from the lip of the bunker, but got up and down in par and then birdied the last two holes for the title. He said: "I couldn't have been left in a worse situation, except for the fact I had seen the leaderboard at that stage and knew it was all or nothing at the time That made it a lot easier because I knew I had to play it perfectly."
Harrington had not been feeling comfortable this week, first complaining of a hook in his swing and then a lack of concentration as he attempted to compensate for it. As a result, yesterday's round was erratic but he admitted having luck on his side, with the 67 down in no small part to an eagle on the 12th, courtesy of a holed chip from the bunker, and a 20ft putt on the 17th to make up for three dropped shots.
Today, he made the most of that good fortune, surviving a lost ball on 10, another bogey on 14, that difficult chip on 16 and Otto's late charge to become the first Irishman to win the Hong Kong Open.
Filed by Shane Murray
