Padraig Harrington of Ireland has been named The European Tour Golfer of the Month for March following his superb victory in the Honda Classic on the US PGA Tour. Harrington closed with a stunning course record-equalling 63 at The Country Club at Mirasol in Florida before defeating Vijay Singh of Fiji and American Joe Ogilvie in a sudden-death play-off.
Harrington, winner of nine tournaments on The European Tour International Schedule, finished with a 14 under par total of 274, having at one stage threatened to break 60 on the final day after birdieing ten of the first 13 holes.
Ogilvie was eliminated at the first hole of the play-off then Harrington claimed his first victory on the US PGA Tour when Singh missed a two and a half foot putt at the second extra hole.
Harrington was selected by a panel comprising members of the media and The European Tour in Augusta, where Harrington bids this week to join the impressive list of European Tour Members who have captured the Masters Tournament.
The Dubliner earned the panel’’s vote ahead of a strong list of contenders for the March Award, including South African Ernie Els, who was 31 under par in winning back to back titles in the Dubai Desert Classic and the Qatar Masters.
Also considered were England’’s Paul Broadhurst, who ended ten years without a victory by claiming the Estoril Open de Portugal Caixa Geral de Depositos in dramatic fashion last weekend and another Englishman, Paul Casey, who won the TCL Classic in China.
Harrington said: “Obviously it is a great honour to be named European Tour Golfer of the Month. On a personal level it was a great thrill to win the Honda Classic and enjoy the rewards of all the hard work I have put in. It underlined the benefits of perseverance!
“On a general level, that day will always have a special significance as my fellow Irishman, Des Smyth, also won for the first time on the US Champions Tour in California”.
The Award is presented to a European Tour Member each month from January to December for his performance on The European Tour International Schedule and in worldwide competition. At the end of the year, the panel will select The European Tour Golfer of the Year.
Nick Dougherty of England and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand won the January and February Awards respectively.
