Shane Lowry praises Harrington’s Major feats

Pádraig Harrington doesn't need anyone to come to his defence, but, in his absence, Shane Lowry was doing it anyway.

"Irish people don't realise how good Pádraig Harrington is. I think Pádraig is every bit as good as Brian O'Driscoll is, and people don't see that," said Lowry, speaking yesterday at the launch of AIG's sponsorship of both the Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golf Union.

Lowry, on a short break from his competitive schedule before resuming tournament play in Spain next week, expanded on his belief that Harrington, a three-time Major champion, was being short-changed.

New sponsorship
"I mean, winning three Majors? How many players (in the world) have won more than three Majors? Not many. Seven or eight? I just don't think people understand or realise how hard it is to win a Major."

The Offalyman was in Carton House yesterday to lend his support to a new sponsorship agreement between golf’s two national governing bodies and the insurance giant.

The announcement marked the extension of AIG Ireland’s 16-year association with the GUI and signals the beginning of a new sponsorship of the ILGU.

Commenting on the sponsorship, AIG Ireland general manager Declan O’Rourke said; “Golf is a hugely popular sport in Ireland and we are delighted to be associated with both the ILGU and GUI.

“We hope our partnership with these organisations helps them achieve their strategic ambitions and to continue to promote golf in Ireland.

"Today is another sign of our commitment to grassroots sport throughout Ireland. As sponsors of Dublin GAA, Tennis Ireland and now both the GUI and ILGU, AIG in Ireland has proven its commitment to amateur sport.

Great pleasure
"In 2013, AIG Ireland was the first company to sponsor both ladies and men's Dublin GAA teams so it is with great pleasure that we are now announcing sponsorship of both the male and female golf unions," added O'Rourke.