Courage under fire earns reward

Last April, after his return from a fine debut in the US Masters at Augusta National, where he was tied 19th, I expressed surprise to Padraig Harrington that as a former winner, he was not competing later that month in the Spanish Open.

"I would if it were played at Club de Campo," he replied with typical pragmatism.

Six months later, he returned, albeit in a late decision, to challenge for a different tournament. And it could prove to be possibly the most important decision of his career.

Mind you, Madrid should be a compulsory tournament destination for Irish professionals, irrespective of the venue, in view of their past successes there. It is where Jimmy Kinsella (1972), David Feherty (1992) and Des Smyth (1993) won the Madrid Open, all at Puerto de Hierro. And, of course, where Harrington captured the 1996 Spanish Open.

That will be recalled as a rain-interrupted event in which it became necessary to play the final 36 holes on the Sunday. On that occasion, a third-round 67 swept Harrington to 15 under par for a six-stroke lead over his closest challenger, Pedro Linhart. Then, with veteran caddie John O'Reilly eagerly calculating his bonus down to the nearest penny, the Dubliner went on to card a final round of 71 for a four-stroke win over Gordon Brand Jnr.

In the heat of tournament battle, good memories become priceless assets to a golfer. And familiar surroundings become a source of comfort, particularly if things begin to go wrong. And they went wrong for Harrington on the final nine yesterday, when he seemed incapable of hitting a fairway off the tee.

When he carded a potentially disastrous double-bogey six at the 13th, he could remind himself of the remainder of the run in and how he had handled it in 1996. It would have removed any sense of panic when further problems arose at the long 14th. So it was that a seeming struggle for a par at that hole, became a confidence-boosting birdie.

Watching Harrington in tight, competitive situations can be decidedly unnerving. By his own admission, he needs to be pressurised to concentrate properly. And it's as if he actually wills problems on himself, so as to sharpen his focus on the challenge of the moment.

The importance of this win clearly has to do with events at The Belfry last May, when he fell victim to the most costly card-signing incident in the history of the European Tour. At the time, observers marvelled at how well he handled the situation in public. Indeed, the Royal and Ancient made a point of lauding him for what they considered to be a most honourable contribution to the integrity of the game.

Outwardly, it looked as if he had overcome the crisis in a matter of only a few weeks. On the eve of the US Open at Pebble Beach in mid-June, however, he admitted that he had lost 12 pounds in weight since The Belfry incident. "That's what stress can do to you." he said, with one of those smiles which this remarkably co-operative player always seems to have on tap.

Against that background, it is quite remarkable that he should have gone on to produce the best-ever performance by an Irishman in the US Open. By finishing fifth, on his first visit to Pebble Beach, he surpassed the previous best of tied seventh by Greenore's Peter O'Hare in the 1924 staging at Oakland Hills.

Meanwhile, looking at Harrington surmount one difficulty after another over the closing stretch yesterday, it was impossible not to admire his courage and composure under pressure. One was reminded of Firestone CC in August when, fighting serious neck and shoulder pain during the WGC/NEC Invitational, he declared that his target was: "Not to finish last."

Against an elite field, he did considerably better than that, finishing 27th of 37 for a reward of $44,000.

A week previously at Valhalla, he completed the full 72 holes in the USPGA Championship, so gaining the distinction of making the cut in the four "majors", in his first year to play them all. Now, with his second tournament win of the sea son, he has moved up another, significant rung on the ladder towards world prominence.