HOME CAME the conquering hero again. Padraig Harrington arrived back at Weston Aerodrome last night just after 9.30pm on a private jet from Gatwick Airport in London.
The 36-year-old had a hectic day, having taken part in a charity golf event in southern England before flying home.
The man of the moment draped a tricolour around his shoulders as he emerged from the jet with the Claret Jug, but without his family, who had returned home earlier in the day.
Dozens of fans watched from the balcony overlooking Weston and the narrow entrance hall was thronged with well-wishers. Harrington professed himself happy to be home and added: "It's unbelievable to in a second major so quickly. Last year was obviously euphoric, this year there's a bit more satisfaction. I felt like I could win many more majors but for it to happen so quickly is a bonus."
Harrington overcame a wrist injury, a strong field and the notoriously difficult course at Royal Birkdale, Lancashire, in convincing fashion on Sunday evening for a victory which President Mary McAleese described as a "wonderful achievement" by a "true champion".
Harrington described the injury that threatened to keep him from defending the title, which he won in a dramatic playoff against Sergio Garcia, at Carnoustie last year as "a good distraction", before paying tribute to his caddie, Ronan Flood, who he said had made "the vital call" that saw the Dubliner play a 5-iron rather than a 6-iron on the 13th leaving him a crucial birdie attempt.
"The five at the 13th won me the Open," he said.
Harrington was whisked from the Aerodrome and taken to a private party in Dublin City Centre last night and is anticipating no end to the celebrations.
"I doubt I'll get to take it easy. I haven't anything quite organised just yet but I believe I'll get to take it easy," he said.
The Open double has not satisfied Harrington's appetite for winning and that he has his eyes firmly set on success in the future.
"My goal is to keep getting myself into contention in majors. They are what it's all about for me. I set my schedule out for this year for the four majors and the Ryder Cup. I was trying to peak for them," he said.
The victory earned Harrington €940,000 and brought his career earnings on the European Tour to more than €18 million.
Despite this impressive record, Harrington played down questions about whether he was the greatest ever Irish golfer, or even the third best golfer in the world, as rankings published yesterday now suggest .
"I'm still the same guy I was last week," he said.
