Padraig Harrington might have three golf majors to his name but even he has now admitted he was set back by the emergence of one of the best to ever do it back in 2011.
Harrington won three majors in a two year span between 2007 and 2008 as he captured two Open Championships in a row and snatching a PGA Championship in between.
Now playing on the Champions Tour, Harrington is one of the most popular players in the game and has won a number of big events on the post-50 tour, as well as providing tips and training on his social media channels.
However, while Harrington has admitted he felt he was one of the best in the world at one point, he’s also made a major concession when it comes to the emergence of one Rory McIlroy.
Padraig Harrington shares when he was at his best on the PGA Tour
Speaking on the Cookie Jar Golf Podcast about his form int he majors ahead of winning three in two years, Harrington admitted that he felt he was one of the best players in the world.
“That was the first time I had played a major tournament where I had played the golf that I didn’t feel like I got lucky or needed to be lucky or needed anybody else’s help. That was the first time I believed I could win a major. Up until then I thought I could win a major by getting lucky or getting a great break, having a big week. But right there I felt really comfortable that I could win with nobody else’s help,” Harrington said.
“So going into the next majors I won in 2007 and 2008. Same process. I believed I was the best golfer and I could get my very best golf. My whole goal was prepare right, get myself in position, I will play well three out of four majors, I will play well two out of the four and if over two years I am in contention four times I will surely get one. As it turned out I got three.”
However, adding further comment on why he didn’t win anymore majors, Harrington admitted it was a certain Rory McIlroy who halted his progress.
Padraig Harrington admits Rory McIlroy broke him
Harrington continued his conversation about the majors and being in contention to win then.
However, he’s admitted that going into the US Open at Congressional in 2011, he felt he was going to win before Rory McIlroy rocked up and announced himself to the world.
“Now what was really interesting was that I did the same thing in 2009 and had great chances. People think I stopped playing after 2008! I had a much better year in 2009, especially second half. My best year stats wise tee to green was 2012. I got better, I just didn’t win. But I was really good. I had great chances in 2009, still had chances in 2010. Not as many but I played well in 2010,” Harrington continued.
“But I was broken in hindsight, Rory broke me in 2011 [at Congressional]. What happened, and this happened to everyone. I was the best player, that’s what I believed. So I went into Congressional and Adam Scott said and I played a practice round with him on Wednesday and did an interview and he told everyone that they might as well all go home as Padraig Harrington is winning this.
“I am in my head the best player. I had won three majors recently. I am in great form. I prepared right. I go into this tournament and Rory does something that I can’t compete with. He wipes the floor with everyone. We all the same, he has blown us all away. That is okay if I thought I could get better, that’s fine.
“When Tiger was doing that in the early 2000’s. I was on my way up. This was me at my best and I don’t think I can compete with him. This has happened to every player who has hit a peak. In 2008 I was not looking over my shoulder. I was only concerned about me. In 2011 onwards I am now thinking I am not good enough, I need to be a better version of me to compete with Rory.
“You don’t realise it at the time but I guarantee that happened to Rory in 2014, he was trying to compete with Jordan or JT or DJ. Everybody hits that point where they go out and they are on the golf course and thinking if I play my game, these guys can’t beat me. It doesn’t have to be real but that is what they are thinking.”
Point made about Rory McIlroy stands true
Harrington’s comments on McIlroy are interesting in that we haven’t seen him win a major since 2014 and that coincides with the emergence of those top American players.
McIlroy has essentially been chasing something that might not be there for over a decade and it’s quite poignant that Harrington admits McIlroy had the same effect on him.
Now in 2025, it does feel like McIlroy is getting closer than ever to putting it all together to add major number five to his haul.
But as we’ve seen with Harrington, the Northern Irishman may well have peaked and McIlroy may end up settling for four after all.
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