Harrington Proving His Worth in PGA Weekend Wrap

My mother is probably the only person that really misses Tiger Woods on tour. The online betting community, the PGA roster and the world of golf must love that he’s not there. It’s giving a chance for guys like Ben Curtis, Sergio Garcia and even Greg Norman a chance to bask in the spotlight.

Yet, it’s Padraig Harrington who is cementing his golf legacy in the absence of Tiger Woods. Harrington stunned the golf world with a decisive Sunday that saw him hoisting the PGA Championship, giving him his third major win in a year. The 36 year-old Irishman was the first European player to raise the Wanamaker Trophy since 1930.

Golf is a game of pressure, which is why Tiger Woods is so unbelievable. With the odds stacked against them, even the mightiest have fallen. From Phil at the U.S. Open in 2007, to Greg Norman at this year’s Open, the best of the best crumble even if Tiger isn’t part of the picture.

That is not the case for Harrington.

Entering his prime, Harrington proved that insurmountable odds would not effect his game. He shot 4-under-par after remaining three strokes behind with the back nine left to play. Storming back, he passed Curtis and Garcia to win by two strokes and leave the golf world in shock and awe. His triumph at Oakland Hills was nothing short of incredible, and his betting investors have every reason to keep lumping their betting dollars in support of Harrington.

Seemingly dejected headed in to the final leg of the tournament, something obviously clicked with Harrington. He chipped, drove and putted his way to a stunning comeback. It’s the mental tenacity that is the most encouraging, however. Only Tiger Woods has shown such resilience to breaking down mentally. Garcia and Mickelson have shown the exact opposite.

Is Harrington the odds on favorite heading in to this year’s FedEX Cup? In my eyes, it’s unquestionable. He may not be the most talented, skilled, charismatic or experienced. Yet, when golf’s hero bowed out due to a knee injury, Padraig stepped up when nobody else was prepared to.

Turn the channel because Tiger’s licking his wounds if you want to. All you’ll miss is another legend in the making as Padraig drives the fairways and returns profit for those that show him the faith he rightfully deserves.