Padraig Harrington has become the first Irishman in 60 years to win the British Open after a dramatic final day at Carnoustie ended with a four hole play-off win over long time leader Sergio Garcia.
The Dubliner and Spaniard went back to the first after finishing 72 holes on seven-under-par.
They may have had company in the shape of little-known Andres Romero had the Argentinean not dropped three shots in the final two holes after a round that included 10 birdies.
Pádraig Harrington kisses the Clart Jug after his win. Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Harrington started six shots behind overnight leader Garcia but struck the ball sweetly all day and dragged himself back into contention with a 67. He almost undid all his good work at the final hole when he found the water twice.
But he got up and down for a six and then watched Garcia miss a putt on the same green to ensure another four holes.
On the first play-off hole, the Dubliner got down in three after two beautiful shots set up a 10-foot birdie putt. Garcia found the bunker and ended up two shots behind his opponent going to the 16th.
Both players settled for par on the next play-off hole, and it was honours even on the 17th aswell to give a Harrington a two-shot advantage. With memories of a disastrous 18th fresh in the head, Harrington opted to use the 17th fairway and lay up for an approach to the last, and after he putted to within three-and-a-half feet, Harrington went on to hole the winning putt.
Speaking afterwards he said: "I convinced myself all week I was going to win, but I never let myself think of winning, or something like that anyway.
"I just focused on my target and hit the putt. I looked up with about a foot to go and it was going in the middle of the hole. I didn't know what to think.
"I think if I had lost it would have been very hard to take it. But because of the fact that I still had a chance I didn't allow myself to get down and I stayed positive. I convinced myself that if I got to the play-off I'd make it," he told BBC television.
Harrington's performance capped a great weekend for the Irish with 18-year-old amateur Rory McIlroy claiming the silver medal for his performance that saw him finish the tournament on five-over-par. Paul McGinley finished 19th on one-under-par after starting the day's round alongside Harrington.
Harrington admits he would have found it impossible to recover if he had blown his chance of glory on an extraordinary final day at Carnoustie.
"I never let myself think I had blown the Open," Harrington said. "If I had lost I would have struggled to come back out and be a professional golfer. It meant that much to me. It would have been incredibly hard to take. If I'd lost I don't know what I'd think about playing golf again.
"It's going to take a long time for it to settle in. There was so much going through my mind, some of it was genuine shock I had won the Open Championship," he added.
"It's going to mean a lot for Irish golf. We celebrate all our sporting achievements, we're a great country for anyone who does well. I'm very proud of the support I get at home. Far more people have more belief in me than I have in myself."
"It's important that I go and try to win another major rather than feeling this was the pinnacle. I'm going to celebrate like it was the pinnacle, but I've got other goals now to move on with. I'm certainly going to enjoy this one for the foreseeable future. Forever actually," Harrington said.
Harrington won the Irish PGA in a play-off last week and also became the first home winner of the Irish Open in 25 years in a play-off in May.