Padraig Harrington successfully defended his Open Championship title yesterday, winning by and impressive four shots at Royal Birkdale.

Harrington teed off with over night leader Greg Norman but while Norman bogeyed his opening few holes Harrington was solid as a rock and got par after par in the windiest conditions I’ve ever seen. It was a wonderful display, especially when you consider that he was a major doubt leading up to the event after injuring his wrist winning the Irish PGA.

At the end of a grueling day the Dubliner said…

“I had a great year as the Open champion, so much so I did not want to give it back, it’s brilliant to come back and defend. I convinced myself I could win and I stayed focused and managed to get the job done.”

Well done to him, it was a great display of golf but also of mental toughness.