Padraig Harrington Claims Victory at Simmons Bank Championship

Posted : 28 October 2024

Padraig Harrington secured the inaugural Simmons Bank Championship in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Sunday with a four-birdie front nine that set the stage for his victory. The Irish golfer’s win marked his third PGA Tour Champions title of the season and propelled him to fourth place in the playoff standings, positioning him as a strong contender heading into the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

Harrington’s composed play allowed him to finish with a 5-under 67, giving him a tournament total of 17-under 199, ultimately prevailing by two strokes over South Korea's YE Yang, who fired an impressive final-round 65.

Starting the final round tied for the lead with New Zealand’s Steven Alker, Harrington took control early, notching birdies on holes 2, 4, 5, and 8 at Pleasant Valley Country Club. His steady front nine proved pivotal as Alker encountered difficulties, recording a 1-over-par score.

Harrington extended his lead with a birdie on the par-5 10th, though a bogey on the par-4 14th briefly halted his momentum. His performance on the 18th hole was nearly flawless; after reaching the green in two, he narrowly missed an eagle, settling for a closing birdie that underscored his command of the tournament.

Reflecting on his strategy for the final hole, Harrington expressed relief in managing his approach to avoid any unnecessary risks that could jeopardize his lead. "I knew if I got a good tee shot away, it was my tournament," he shared with the Golf Channel, underscoring his calculated approach.

Despite being a seasoned player, Harrington admitted to feeling uncharacteristic nerves, particularly during the back nine, where he found himself consciously slowing his practice swings to maintain focus and composure.

The victory at Pleasant Valley grants Harrington a strong position as he heads to Phoenix for the Charles Schwab Cup Championship. Alongside him, other top competitors like Ernie Els, Alker, and Stephen Ames retained their spots in the standings. YE Yang’s impressive final round placed him in fifth, while Japan’s Hiroyuki Fujita and the United States' Jason Caron tied for third, earning them valuable positions in the season finale.

Meanwhile, Cameron Percy of Australia secured the last qualifying spot for Phoenix after an up-and-down round, clinching his place in the top 36 with a birdie-laden finish, underscoring the intense competition leading into next week’s season-closing event.

Padraig Harrington Claims Victory at Simmons Bank Championship

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