Who is sitting atop the leaderboard at the PGA Championship?
– It might not be long before Ireland has a new patron saint. St. Padraig, anyone? If nothing else, the Emerald Isle might want to consider establishing a national holiday — sometime between the British Open and PGA Championship, perhaps? — in honor of native son Padraig Harrington. The Irishman joined a rare group Sunday, when he won his second consecutive major title by shooting 4-under-par 66 to win the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills. Harrington, who repeated as British Open champion last month in England, finished two shots ahead of playing partner Sergio Garcia and third-round leader Ben Curtis with a score of 3-under 277. The Irishman’s third major championship allowed him to join Walter Hagen (1924), Nick Price (1994) and Tiger Woods (2000, 2006) as the only players in history to win the British Open and PGA Championship in the same year. He’s the first European to win back-to-back majors, the first to win the PGA since Tommy Armour in 1930 and the first Irishman to ever wi
It might not be long before Ireland has a new patron saint. St. Padraig, anyone? If nothing else, the Emerald Isle might want to consider establishing a national holiday — sometime between the British Open and PGA Championship, perhaps? — in honor of native son Padraig Harrington. The Irishman joined a rare group Sunday, when he won his second consecutive major title by shooting 4-under-par 66 to win the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills. Harrington, who repeated as British Open champion last month in England, finished two shots ahead of playing partner Sergio Garcia and third-round leader Ben Curtis with a score of 3-under 277. The Irishman’s third major championship allowed him to join Walter Hagen (1924), Nick Price (1994) and Tiger Woods (2000, 2006) as the only players in history to win the British Open and PGA Championship in the same year. He’s the first European to win back-to-back majors, the first to win the PGA since Tommy Armour in 1930 and the first Irishman to ever win
Three straight birdies put John Mallinger atop the leaderboard at the PGA Championship. Mallinger made the turn at 3 under Thursday, sharing the lead with Robert Allenby at the year’s last major. Paul Goydos, Rory McIlroy and four others were at 2 under before the last of the morning groups had even teed off. Tiger Woods and defending PGA champion Padraig Harrington, paired again after last weekend’s entertaining duel at Firestone, were both at 1 under. Angel Cabrera, Lucas Glover and Stewart Cink, winners of the year’s first three majors, tee off together Thursday afternoon, as does Phil Mickelson. Paul Casey, the world’s No. 3 player, withdrew because of a rib injury and was replaced by Tim Petrovic. Woods has won at least one of the majors for four years in a row, but he’s running out of time to extend that streak. Then again, he can play Hazeltine National, closing with four straight birdies seven years ago to finish one shot behind winner Rich Beem. Sources:
