Pádraig Harrington claims first win since 2010 at Indonesia Open

Pádraig Harrington was back in the winner’s enclosure on Sunday as he claimed a two-shot win at the Indonesia Open, courtesy of a double bogey at the last from Thailand’s Thanyakon Khrongpha.

After taking a four-shot lead into the final round, Harrington struggled to turn in 37 with a birdie at eight after opening with a bogey and dropping another two shots at the par-three seventh. Thanyakon, in contrast, picked up three shots in his first five holes and led by two heading into the back nine before a two-hour rain delay.

Ireland’s three-time Major winner came home in 34 with birdies at 13 and 17, and the pair went down the last all square, only for the 24-year-old to blink first.

Thanyakon’s second shot found the water but Harrington also took a penalty drop when his tee shot landed on the edge of the hazard. The veteran coped better with the setback and hit his “best shot of the week” before sinking a 15-foot par putt to claim victory as his rival carded a six.

“Winning is a good habit to have,” said Harrington, who had not won since the 2010 Johor Open title on the Asian Tour. “It gives you a lot of confidence and I need that confidence. I didn’t start too well but I came through and I got the win. This win brings a lot of confidence to my game and hopefully it will show up next year.

“I had a bad break on the 18th hole when I hit my tee shot and it rolled to the edge of the hazard. I was about to chip my ball sideways to the fairway but when Thanyakon hit it into the water, there was no point to take a chance. So I went back to the fairway and hit my six iron for my best shot of the week.”

Harrington admited the rain delay helped him turn his final round.

“I hit a few bad shots earlier on and I hit a careless shot on the seventh hole. The biggest thing for me at that stage was that I was really praying for a rain delay. My momentum was gone but Thanyakon was flying and he didn’t miss a shot,” said Harrington.

“It was very unlucky for Thanyakon because of that rain delay. It was unfortunate but he can be very proud with how he played all the way through. He is really impressive. He looks like a player to watch for in the future,” added the Irishman.

Thanyakon, who was looking for his first tour win, said the nerves played a part on the run in.

“It was a great final round from me but I was under so much pressure on the last hole. I’m still happy with how I played. The rain delay stopped my momentum. It wasn’t good. The pressure made me scared,” said the Thai after posting a 69.