Padraig Harrington won the second US Senior Open title of his career at Broadmoor Golf Club on Sunday.
He finished the tournament on 11 under par, one stroke ahead of Stewart Cink and two in front of Miguel Angel Jimenez.
The only negative from Harrington’s week came with the controversy of his arguing with an on-course reporter.
However, the Irishman’s character cannot be questioned, as he is one of the most well-respected individuals in the sport.
After the tournament concluded, runner-up Cink spoke about how much he admires Harrington for the way he carries himself.
Stewart Cink has ‘highest respect’ for US Senior Open winner Padraig Harrington
Harrington is hugely popular among players and fans for more than just his golf game. His passion for the sport is what sets him apart.
Harrington regularly shares tips to help amateur players and is one of the most interesting voices to listen to in the industry.
Cink did not have a bad word to say about the US Senior Open winner, praising him as both a golfer and a person.
“Yeah, he’s the ultimate competitor and a quality individual,” Cink shared. “I have the highest respect for his game and for him as a person.
“Even though he’s a peer, he’s a guy I’ve always also looked up to because I’ve played with him so much, and I admire the way he kind of treats golf the way I want to treat golf myself.
“He’s in the present. He never gives up. He’s always got a good attitude. That’s the hallmark of a high-quality player for a long time, and that’s what he is.”
Padraig Harrington says what changed with Stewart Cink in US Senior Open final round
Harrington and Cink clearly have an excellent relationship, but it’s difficult to remain friendly while competing for major honors.
Harrington explained that the pair were enjoying each other’s company on the front nine on Sunday, but the back nine was a little different.
“I don’t know if we stopped talking. We just got busy,” he said about the changing atmosphere during the final round.
“There was one stage on the front nine, I forget, we had to full-on belly laugh, we were joking away about things. We were very relaxed. Mark Hensby was very good to play with as well.
“On the back nine, we got busier. Obviously, the guys in front of us got put on the clock. So then we got pushed onto the clock.
“When you’re on the clock, you have to be right on top of things and pay attention. There’s not a lot of conversation in those couple of holes.
“Obviously, we just played the last two holes, and it was nip and tuck at that stage.”
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