Padraig Harrington shattered the course record at Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort in Co. Limerick with a nine under par 63 to supply the perfect ending to a perfect two days for Ireland and the eponymous host of the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am.
The Irish Ryder Cup player received the individual trophy for winning the individual event with a 14 under par total of 130, while Harrington also won an identical enormous Waterford Crystal trophy for the Best Overall Team Professional, helping two different teams to score of 53 and 58.
Harrington finished six shots clear of South African Tim Clark, who shot rounds of 69 and 67 with England’’s World Cup pairing of Paul Casey and Luke Donald tied for third place on 137. The World’’s Numbers One and Three respectively, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, finished in a share of sixth on 141.
Record crowds of 28,000 thronged the picturesque Limerick venue and stayed behind in glorious evening sunshine to applaud two great characters – Harrington and McManus – who played their parts in achieving a highly successful fourth edition of the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am.
Harrington said: “It’’s been great. I love playing in Pro-Ams. It’’s a great distraction when you are trying to read your amateurs putts and support what they are doing. I finished on the 13th hole and it was totally ringed with people – a fantastic sight.
“It was a super day. Limerick needs a European Tour event, without a doubt, if people turn up in such numbers for a Pro-Am, they deserve a four day event. In the end I was playing for the course record, which stood at eight under. I got to eight and wanted nine as it’’s always better to hold a course record on your own.”
The Team Event was retained by the Charleville Community Care side, who finished the two-day extravaganza at 32 under par. When the dust has settled, Limerick charities are expected to benefit to the tune of around €30 million.
