Uncategorized

Padraig Harrington reveals how Rory McIlroy brought him back to the mortal coil: “I was the best player, that’s what I believed”

Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy, PGA Championship (Image via Imagn)

Padraig Harrington made his debut on the PGA Tour in 2005. Having made over 346 starts, the Irishman is known for his mental fortitude. However, in a recent episode of the Cookie Jar Golf podcast, he revealed that Rory McIlroy affected his self-confidence.

The PGA Tour star revealed that the 2011 US Open at the Congressional Country Club had a profound impact on his career. The tournament saw Rory McIlroy assert his dominance while earning his maiden Major victory. Padraig Harrington, who believed he reached his peak in 2012, was confident of winning his fourth victory at the event.

Top PGA Tour stars like Adam Scott also believed the same. Harrington did not see Rory McIlroy as much of a competition at the time. He said (via Cookie Jar Golf’s X handle):

“People think I stopped playing after 2008. I had a much better year in 2009, especially since the second half of 2009. I had a much better year in 2010. My best year, stats-wise, tee-to-green, was in 2012 when I was broken. Rory broke me in 2011. [He] broke everybody but forget that, I was the best player. That’s what I believed.”

However, he compared the Northern Irishman’s dominance in the world of men’s professional golf after the 2011 US Open to that of Tiger Woods in the early 2000s. According to Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy’s incredible eight-stroke victory was a wake-up call.

Harrington continued:

“I’ve won three Majors just recently. I’m in great form. I prepared right. I go into this tournament and Rory does something that I can’t compete with…He’s just blown us all away. But that’s okay, if I thought I could get better, that’s fine. So when Tiger was doing that in the early 2000s, I was only on my way up. This is me at my best and I don’t think I can compete with him…In 2008, I was not looking over my shoulder. I was only concerned about me. 2011 onwards, I’m now thinking I’m not good enough. I need to be a better version of me to compete with Rory.”

Here’s a look at Padraig Harrington’s recollection of the profound impact of Rory McIlroy’s win at the Congressional in 2011.

Following the tournament in Maryland, Padraig Harrington realized that his “peak” form was not enough to keep up with the then-up-and-coming young golfers like McIlroy. The former is now 53 years old and an active member of the PGA Tour with six victories.

How many Majors do Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy have?

Here’s a comparison of Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy’s record at Major championships:

Padraig Harrington (3 Majors)

Masters Tournament

  • Wins: 0
  • Appearances: 16
  • Cuts Made: 9
  • Top 10 finishes: 4

US Open

  • Wins: 0
  • Appearances: 17
  • Cuts Made: 13
  • Top 10 finishes: 5

The Open Championship

  • Wins: 2 (2007, 2008)
  • Appearances: 27
  • Cuts Made: 17
  • Top 10 finishes: 4

PGA Championship

  • Wins: 1 (2008)
  • Appearances: 25
  • Cuts Made: 12
  • Top 10 finishes: 3

Rory McIlroy (4 Majors)

Masters Tournament

  • Wins: 0
  • Appearances: 16
  • Cuts Made: 13
  • Top 10 finishes: 7

US Open

  • Wins: 1 (2011)
  • Appearances: 16
  • Cuts Made: 15
  • Top 10 finishes: 9

The Open Championship

  • Wins: 1 (2014)
  • Appearances: 15
  • Cuts Made: 12
  • Top 10 finishes: 7

PGA Championship

  • Wins: 2 (2012, 2014)
  • Appearances: 16
  • Cuts Made: 15
  • Top 10 finishes: 8

Related Posts

Rory McIlroy faces accusations over Masters injury admission – ‘Not buying it’

Golf star Rory McIlroy is facing accusations of downplaying his chances at the Masters by claiming he has an elbow injury. McIlroy is a top contender to win the tournament and secure…

Rory McIlroy forced to meet his ‘nemesis’ as pressure mounts on Northern Irishman

Rory McIlroy has been told the Masters is his ‘nemesis’ and that he always struggles to overcome the challenging Augusta course. The world No. 2 has never won the Masters but…

Tiger Woods Takes a Backseat as Ex-Coach Reveals Bryson DeChambeau’s ‘Rabbit Hole’ as the Most Remarkable Experience of His Career

As a golf coach, having Tiger Woods on your resume is the ultimate credential. For three years since 2014, Woods and his newly hired coach worked closely, but their collaboration…

The Nigerian Medical Student Who Shattered a 28-Year-Old Record at Obafemi Awolowo University

Aarinola Olaiya is a Nigerian medical student who has achieved remarkable academic excellence. She is the first student in 28 years to graduate with 12 distinctions from the…

Man loses $3,100 on store item he never received – a year of calls went unanswered but receipt changed everything

A MAN was left without answers for over a year after he paid $3,100 for a lawnmower repair that never came. James Atchison, who relies on a riding…

Did Elon Musk’s Mom Say The Poor Should Have More Kids So They Can Work In Elon’s Factories?

A post on X claims that Maye Musk, the mother of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, told Fox News that “the poor should have kids, so [Elon’s] factories have…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *