Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington insists he remains fulfilled on the golf course after being asked to respond to Scottie Scheffler's comments that he isn’t satisfied with winning.
Scheffler, seeking a second major of 2025 and one of the most consistent golfers in recent years, told the media ahead of this week’s Open that for all his success, he remains unfulfilled and questions what he does on a daily basis.
"This is not a fulfilling life," he said.
"It feels like you work your whole life to celebrate winning a tournament for like a few minutes," he said, before adding he would prefer to be remembered as a great father than a great golfer.
Having won three times this year, along with eight top-10 finishes and not outside the top-25 in any tournament, the world number one arrives at Royal Portrush as favourite to land the Claret Jug, but the comments have provoked debate.
Harrington, who claimed Open success in 2007 and 2008, says it does not tally with his feeling towards his profession.
"I’m not sure what he was trying to articulate and I wouldn’t go putting words in his head, but I know I’m still celebrating my US Senior Open wins and it goes on for weeks," he told RTÉ Sport. "Every time somebody says well done to me, I get a little acceptance and enjoyment out of it.
"I don’t want to compare myself to him, but I genuinely still have a love for this game. I enjoy every bit of it. It brings me tremendous satisfaction and I don’t think I have to shy away from that. Just because I love golf, doesn’t make me a bad father, or parent. They are separate entities.
"You can enjoy everything there is about golf and still be good elsewhere, and do the right things."
The Dubliner recalled watching Christy O’Connor Senior in his later years still taking great pride in his practice shots, and says it is something he can relate to.
Asked whether he remains fulfilled on the course, he said: "Absolutely. Even a shot fulfils me on the golf course. I like competing, no doubt about it, but sometimes it can be hard work. I love practicing, dreaming of what can be.
"Scottie was being honest, but people are going to ask him about that for a long time.
"He obviously loves the practice, I don’t think he likes the grind of it."
"When you win, you have to really go out there and enjoy it. Every time you win, you have to separate it and go, 'right I’m going to enjoy this moment’ and not make it a moment. If it’s a big win, I’m not averse for people taking a few weeks off."
Harrington has been given the honour of hitting the first shot at the 153rd Open Championship on Thursday morning, with the opening tee shot set for 6.35am.
The 53-year-old says while it is an honour to launch the competitive action, his ambition to win isn’t diminished.
"I don’t want to be known as a ceremonial golfer," he said. "I don’t feel like I am at the moment.
"I’m prepared to put that aside to have that honour. I really do think it is a great honour. Here in Ireland, here in Portrush, a course I love. It is very fitting."
Does he think it’s possible to claim the Claret Jug for a third time?
"It would be an incredible achievement at my age to win the Open. To win it in Ireland, on top of that, would be incredible," he said.
"For any of the Irish guys to win here would be astounding. Yes, I would like it to be me. That’s what I have to plan for in my head, but I’ll freely admit that I’ll settle for any Irish winner this week."
