Padraig Harrington produced his best performance in a US PGA Tour event when he finished joint second in the Players Championship after being overhauled by Davis Love III over the Stadium Course at the Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass.
Harrington went into the final 18 holes sharing a two shot lead with American Jay Haas, the oldest player in the field, after opening rounds of 67-68-70 but both players closed with a level par 72 for an 11 under par total of 277 and were unable to do anything as Love III shot a brilliant closing 64 to repeat his 1992 victory in majestic style.
A 17 under par total of 271 earned the Love III not only his second victory of the season and second Players Championship title but also a US Tour record cheque for $1.17million (£780,000).
However it was a highly impressive performance by Harrington and fellow Irishman Darren Clarke, who finished in joint sixth place, with the Masters Tournament less than two weeks away.
Harrington said: "There was no legislating for what Davis did. You would not have thought it was possible,
"You don't feel too bad finishing second to that. He just kept going and just kept pouring it on and getting further and further away. When I didn't birdie the 11th and 12th I knew it was tough."
Two behind at the start, Love III took over at the top with birdies at the eighth and ninth and then moved clear by starting the back nine with three more birdies.
With three to play his lead was down to two and when he hooked into the trees the destiny of the trophy was still in doubt.
But off the pine needles Love III struck a long iron to ten feet for a spectacular eagle and two closing pars completed a dream day for the former US PGA champion.
Clarke challenge took a knock when he visited the water on the 583 yard ninth and, having three-putted the short third, birdies at the second, seventh and 11th lifted him to joint sixth.
"I slipped into some old bad habits, but overall I hit it really well and I'm looking forward to the Masters."
