Tag Archives: Padraig Harrington

Champions Tour, Shafts

KBS Golf Shafts – Double win for KBS shafts in the Charles Schwab Cup on the PGA Champions Tour

November 16, 2022 – A strong list of KBS Golf Shafts helped claim not only the overall win of the Charles Schwab season-long cup title, for the New Zealander Steven Alker, but also the win for the final event in Phoenix, the Irish golfer Padraig Harrington, over the weekend.

The KBS C-Taper Lite 115 Irons were showcased in the overall Cup winner’s bag, shooting 3-under 68 finishing 19-under placing him 2nd in the last event and earning him the overall win. Also aiding the 1st place winner of the final event, was the KBS Tour V 125 Irons and KBS Tour V120 Wedges. The Tour V player cruised to the finish with a 6-under 65 to finish at 27-under and secured his 4th win of 2022.

A huge congratulations of the company goes out to both of the players with the KBS Red Label in their bags.

The KBS C-Taper Lite shaft incorporates proven KBS performance benefits in a lighter-weight design. The firm tip and soft butt produce a mid-high trajectory and controlled spin. Featuring a constant taper design and proportionate increase in wall thickness, the C-Taper Lite optimizes energy transfer for maximum distance. Independent testing results revealed 5+ yards in added distance.

The KBS Tour-V shaft is a lightweight product that features larger outer diameters, resulting in a stable tip section and tight shot dispersion. For players that prefer a lighter weight shaft and less ball spin, the KBS Tour-V is the ideal shaft option.

Champions Tour, DP World Tour, Golf Companies, Shafts

Golf Shafts – KBS rises to the top of the Tour in hands of Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington

September 13, 2022 – Victory tastes extra sweet this week, as KBS Golf Shafts earned two wins over the weekend first one at the DP World Tour BMW PGA Championship, in hands of Shane Lowry, and the second one on the PGA Champions Tour, in hands of Padraig Harrington at the Ascension Charity Classic.

At the BMW PGA Championship, the Irishman earned a special win at the DP Tour’s flagship event and his first since his Major victory at the Open Championship in 2019. He played in Wentworth Club flawless golf in the shortened tournament, going bogey-free for all three days and carding a final score of 17-under-par, one better than the field.

For Shane Lowry was the player’s sixth win on the DP World Tour. He plays a full bag of the KBS TOUR 130X shafts in his irons and wedges.

Meanwhile on the PGA Champions Tour another Irishman, Padraig Harrington, topped the leaderboard at the Ascension Charity Classic, collecting his third win of the season and his second win in his last three tournaments.

A 3-under-par final round was just enough to edge the competition by one and secure the victory at Norwood Hills Country Club.

He also plays a full bag of KBS shafts, using the KBS TOUR-V 125 in his irons and the KBS TOUR-V 120 in his wedges.

KBS Golf Shafts already has congratulated both players on their performances and look forward to watching them in the 2022-2023 season.

More information at kbsgolfshafts.com.

Champions Tour, What's in the bag…

Wilson Golf – Padraig Harrington builds on Wilson legacy winning DICK’s Sporting Goods Open

August 23, 2022 – Wilson Sporting Goods Co., the club maker with more Major wins with its irons than any other brand, today celebrates Padraig Harrington’s victory at DICK’s Sporting Goods Open held in Endicott, N.Y. at En-Joie Golf Club.

“We couldn’t be more excited for Wilson ambassador Padraig Harrington and his win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Open,” said Tim Clarke, President, Wilson Golf. “We’re proud to provide Paddy with the innovative clubs that helped him claim his second PGA Tour Champions title of the season and his 34th professional win of his career.”

Harrington’s bogey-free, final-round of 67, vaulted him to the top of the leaderboard securing his come-from-behind, three-stroke win. The 50-year-old Irishman also won the U.S. Senior Open Championship in late June at Saucon Valley, has had four runner-up finishes and a tie for third in 11 starts this year.

The relationship with Harrington is the longest-running relationship between Chicago-based Wilson and its most successful Tour player of recent times, as this marks Harrington’s 34th professional win.

“I’m excited to secure another win, and honestly have never been more confident with my game,” said Padraig Harrington. “I feel like I’ve got an advantage with increased power, and that feeds into my irons and wedges, which are absolutely solid.”

Harrington’s bag included:

Wilson Staff Model Utility: 24-degree (4 iron)
Wilson Staff CB Irons: 5 – 9, PW
Wilson Staff Model Wedges: 52, 56 and 60 degrees

Majors, What's in the bag…

Wilson Golf – Padraig Harrington builds on Wilson legacy with fourth Major

June 28, 2022 – Wilson Golf, the club maker with more Major wins with its irons than any other brand, had a special reason to celebrate Padraig Harrington’s victory in the U.S. Senior Open Championship at Saucon Valley Country Club in Pennsylvania, yesterday.

It marked yet another Major triumph in the longest-running contractual relationship between the Chicago-based brand and its most successful Tour player of recent times, covering a modern-day record of 24 seasons of prize-winning association. By winning his first USGA title, Harrington took his professional wins tally to 33.

Having withstood pressure from his Ryder Cup rival Steve Stricker to take the U.S. Senior Open title in his debut, Harrington was clear about his intentions. “I’m on the PGA TOUR Champions to win more Major titles and I feel that I have the game and clubs to do that,” he said after finishing -10 and winning by one stroke using Wilson Staff Model CB irons and Staff Model wedges.

Harrington first signed for Wilson in 1998 and has gone on to capture three Major trophies on the main Tour – Open Championships at Carnoustie in 2007 and Royal Birkdale in 2008, followed by the USPGA Championship at Oakland Hills in 2008 – as well as three PGA Tour titles.

“Padraig has been a great ambassador for Wilson and the success he’s enjoyed with our clubs over the past 24 seasons has been exceptional,” said Tim Clarke, President, Wilson Golf. “His iron play has always been outstanding, and he’s had input into all our new equipment.”

Harrington now has the chance to win two more titles next month at the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship at Firestone and The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex at Gleneagles, soon after his appearance at the 150th Open at St Andrews. This week he competes at the Horizon Irish Open at Mount Juliet in Kilkenny, an event he won in 2007.

Padraig joins legends of the game Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Lee Trevino in winning both The Open Championship and the U.S. Senior Open, as well as Colin Montgomerie, Roger Chapman and Bernhard Langer as international champions to hold the Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy, the oldest of the USGA trophies. Among those in the chasing pack were defending champion Jim Furyk, Ernie Els, Paul Broadhurst, Miguel Angel Jiménez, David Toms and Davis Love III.

In seven PGA Tour Champions events competing as a Senior player, Harrington has one win and three seconds, while leading the driving stats with an average of 299 yards.

Gene Sarazen was the first golfer to become a technical advisor to Wilson in 1922. That year, he won the first of his two US Open titles and went on to win five other Majors – three US PGA, an Open Championship and a Masters title. His endorsement contract with Wilson was the longest running of its kind in sports history, spanning 75 years.

Ryder Cup

Ryder Cup 2020 – Pádraig Harrington selects Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Shane Lowry to complete Team Europe

September 12, 2021 – European Captain Pádraig Harrington tonight selected Sergio Garcia, Shane Lowry and Ian Poulter as his three picks to complete his 12-player team for the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, in Wisconsin, from September 21-26.

The trio join the nine automatic qualifiers – Paul Casey, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Lee Westwoodand Bernd Wiesberger – who earlier today confirmed their spots in the team at the conclusion of the extended qualification campaign at the BMW PGA Championship, the European Tour’s third Rolex Series event of 2021.

Garcia and Poulter have been central to Europe’s recent success in the biennial contest, with a combined total of 15 previous Ryder Cup appearances between them, collectively contributing an impressive 40½ points to the European cause. Meanwhile, Lowry, the 2019 Open Champion, will be making his Ryder Cup debut, joining Hovland and Wiesberger as the three rookies in Team Europe.

“I’m really happy with my team,” said Padraig Harrington. “It’s a great team for foursomes and fourball play, a lot of good ball-strikers and it’s a team going to Whistling Straits that is well-suited to the golf course. It’s a strong, well rounded, and very balanced team.”

Spaniard Garcia will be hoping to extend his record as Europe’s all-time leading points scorer when he makes his tenth Ryder Cup appearance. The 2017 Masters Champion made his Ryder Cup debut in 1999 and, aside from 2010, has been a constant presence in the blue of Europe.

He claimed three points at Le Golf National, Paris, in 2018 to take his career tally to 25½ points, surpassing Sir Nick Faldo’s previous benchmark of 25.

“It feels amazing,” said Sergio Garcia. “Obviously it’s been a good year and I think a lot of solid play on my part. Unfortunately I fell a little short of making it by myself but I’m so happy to have the confidence of the vice captains, of Captain Harrington, and I can’t wait to see the guys and just get going.”

Like Garcia, Englishman Ian Poulter also boasts a formidable Ryder Cup record. Poulter will make his seventh Ryder Cup record appearance at Whistling Straits and he is undefeated in the Singles, having contributed 15 points overall. He was part of the European Teams which triumphed on American soil in 2004 at Oakland Hills and Medinah in 2012.

“To be standing here with the trophy in front of me to know we’re going to go again is amazing,” said Ian Poulter. “Seven Ryder Cups is stuff that you can only dream of. It’s incredible. This trophy has meant a lot to me through the years.

“For Paddy to call me today and say I want you as part of my team, it’s emotional. It’s a stacked team. I’m excited. I’m proud. My chest has been getting work the last few weeks, trying to do as many press-ups as I possibly can and hole as many putts as I possibly can to bring as many points as I can to this team.”

Irishman Shane Lowry just missed out on automatic qualification at the BMW PGA Championship and will make his first appearance for Team Europe. He previously represented his continent in the 2016 EurAsia Cup, and in addition to the Claret Jug he won two years ago at Royal Portrush, his five European Tour wins include the 2015 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in America, as well as a Rolex Series event, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

“For me it’s been a career-long goal to get to the Ryder Cup,” said Shane Lowry. “I remember sitting in the media centre here at Wentworth after I won The Open when the points started for this Ryder Cup team and I said, that’s my number one goal and it has been now for the last two years.

“There’s no point going over just to make up numbers. We want to go over and win and I have that in my head. I’ve said that all year, I don’t want to be there just to say I’ve played the Ryder Cup. I want to go and I want to make it count.”

Harrington’s European Team travel to Whistling Straits aiming to retain the Ryder Cup which they reclaimed at Le Golf National in 2018 by a margin of 17½-10½.

Majors, What's in the bag…

Wilson Golf – Padraig Harrington replays his Carboustie playoff holes at The Open 2007

May 10, 2018 – Three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington returned to Carnoustie yesterday to the scene of his dramatic four-hole playoff victory against Sergio Garcia more than a decade ago.

Ahead of golf’s oldest Major championship returning to the Angus links course in July, Padraig replayed one of the toughest stretches in golf – holes 1, 16, 17 & 18 – the playoff holes that witnessed the Irishman win the first of his consecutive Open Championship titles 11 years ago.

Once again, he was playing Wilson Staff irons that gave him a distinct edge over the field in the blustery conditions on the famous links course back then. “If I find myself in a similar position to win on the last hole this year, I’d trust my Wilson Staff clubs to get me over the line again,” said Padraig Harrington.

Back in 2007, it looked as though he had lost his chance of the coveted Claret Jug when he hit his ball into the Barry Burn not once, but twice on the last hole of regulation play – the fearsome 499-yard ‘Home’ hole. But, after wise words from his caddie Ronan Flood, he hit a sensational pitch under pressure to leave a 4-foot putt to salvage a double bogey. Recording an impressive 67 in the final round, he then went into a playoff with Sergio Garcia.

After playing a majestic iron into the 1st green, Padraig then birdied the first playoff hole, while Sergio could only manage a bogey, giving the Irishman a two-shot lead with three holes to play. Both players shared par on holes 16 and 17, so Padraig’s lead was maintained going down the last.

With the earlier nightmare experience on the 18th hole fresh in his mind, Padraig took the safe option off the tee, hitting the green in three shots to avoid the water. With his rival unable to make birdie, Padraig two-putted for a bogey to be crowned the Champion Golfer of 2007.

Over a decade later, the double Open Champion – now in his 20th year using Wilson Staff clubs on the global stage – demonstrated how he still has what it takes to conquer those demanding playoff holes just two months shy of the 147th Open Championship.

Yesterday, Padraig Harrington was playing with the following Wilson Staff clubs: FG Tour V6 irons 6-9; an FG Tour V4 iron; a C300 5 iron; a C300 hybrid 17º; FG Tour PMP 48º, 52º and 56º wedges; and the Infinite Southside putter. 

He is the second Wilson Staff player to win in an Open Championship playoff at Carnoustie, following Scot Paul Lawrie winning on home soil in 1999 with another supreme performance with his irons over the challenging closing holes.

More information at www.wilsongolf.com.

Majors

Wilson Golf – Wilson Staff players geared up for The Open 2017

July 18, 2017 – Former Open Champions Padraig Harrington and Paul Lawrie lead the list of Wilson Staff players competing at the 146th staging of golf’s oldest Major at Royal Birkdale this week, all using the brand’s signature FG Tour V6 irons. 

Harrington, who won the Claret Jug the last time The Open was played at the venue in 2008, returns to the Southport coast with good memories having hit one of the most memorable shots in Open history on his way to victory.

In howling conditions during the final round, a 5-wood from 249-yards on the 17th hole finished three feet away. A tap in eagle followed birdies on the 13th and 15th to record a final round 69 to retain the title he won at Carnoustie a year before.

The popular Irishman, who has played Wilson Staff clubs since 1998 in one of golf’s longest partnerships, also plays a FG Tour V4 Utility 4-iron, FG Tour PMP wedges and the Infinite South Side putter.

Scotsman Lawrie re-joined the brand shortly before last year’s Open Championship, having won at Carnoustie with Wilson Staff irons back in 1999. The Ryder-Cup star came from ten shots back with a magnificent final round of 67 and won his first Major in the four hole play-off.

Making his 25th Open appearance after debuting back in 1992, Lawrie has eight European Tour wins to his name. He has hosted his own European Tour event each year since 2015, the Paul Lawrie Match Play.

Local boy Paul Waring can expect a warm reception from the home crowd during his second appearance in a Major championship – the first being at Royal Birkdale nine years ago.

After a couple of frustrating years through injury, the Bromborough native has enjoyed a successful 2017 with four top-10 finishes on the European Tour, including a tied second at the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco.

Completing the list of Wilson Staff player’s teeing it up on the north-west links is two-time PGA Tour winner Brendan Steele.

A victory in the opening event of the 2017 PGA Tour FedEx Cup season at the Safeway Open in California has been followed by five top-20 finishes, including a tied-13th at the US Open at Erin Hills and a sixth place at The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

“Wilson Staff is fortunate to have Padraig returning to the scene of his last Open victory, Paul as another former champion making a milestone appearance and both Paul from just down the road and Brendan from the States enjoying a good season so far, to make it a really exciting week for the brand,” said Global Commercial Director, Doug Wright.

“The FG Tour V6 irons have been a revelation this season – from our Tour staff through to accomplished amateur golfers. It’s going to be great to see these irons play a part in what is the biggest stage in world golf,” he added.

The FG Tour V6 irons are designed for the golfer who values ultimate feel, precision shot-shaping and feedback. Made from 8620 carbon steel, the irons feature split tungsten weighting through the set offering improved sole camber and bounce for added distance, versatility and optimal ball flight.

More information at www.wilsonstaff.com.

DP World Tour, Tournaments

Wilson Golf – Padraig Harrington re-signs and will reach his 18th consecutive year

Harrington-Wilson-1

January 9, 2015 – Shortly after claiming his 29th international career victory in the 2014 Indonesia Open, three-time Major champion Padraig Harrington has re-signed with Wilson Golf in a deal that will see him play Wilson Staff clubs for an 18th consecutive year.

Harrington first teamed up with Wilson Golf back in 1998 and, playing with Wilson Staff clubs, he went on to win three Majors in the space of 13 months, including back-to-back Open Championships in 2007 and 2008. His previous re-signing was in 2012, and his recent victory at the 2014 BANK BRI Indonesia Open in Jakarta took his prize money earnings to more than 24 million Euros since first signing with the brand.

“It’s not a surprise that I have chosen to stay with the brand with whom I have won three Majors,” commented Padriag Harrington, who was also honoured by the PGAs of Europe at its gala event 2014.

“The equipment is pivotal to my success on Tour, and I have been with Wilson almost from the start of my professional career. They provide the tools I need to continue striving for perfection.”

Whilst featuring the brand’s logo on his headwear this season 2015, the Wilson Staff Advisory Member will continue to play the highly-rated FG Tour line of clubs – notably the brand new V4 utility iron, V2 irons (5-PW) and FG Tour TC wedge (52°). The new Infinite South Side mallet putter – which he used to seal victory in Singapore – also remain in Padraig’s Wilson Staff Tour bag for 2015.

Harrington-Wilson-2

“We’re delighted that Padraig has chosen to re-sign with us and continue the excellent working relationship that has helped bring so much success over the last 17 years,” said Doug Wright, Commercial Director of Wilson Golf in Europe.

“He’s the perfect ambassador for a brand that has won more Major championships with its irons (61) and wedges (82) than any other, and we look forward to more success next year.”

In his role as an Advisory Member alongside other ambassadors like PGA Tour winner Kevin Streelman, Harrington will continue to work closely with Wilson Staff’s innovative R&D team in developing more game-changing products.