Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington cruised to a three-stroke victory at the Iskandar Johor Open yesterday, ending a two-year title drought in style.
The Ryder Cup star, who began the final round with a five-shot cushion, was never seriously threatened by the chasing pack, hitting a 69 to take him to a total of 20-under in the US$1.25 million Asian Tour event.
Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Noh Seung-yul finished second after a 65, with birdies on his final three holes, one ahead of Taiwan’s Lin Wen-tang, who carded a 68.
Photo: AFP/Asian Tour
Singapore’s Mardan Mamat (68) ended on 15-under, with Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat (68) and Scott Barr of Australia (66) a further shot adrift.
“It’s always nice to win, even nicer when there’s been a bit of a drought. Winning is a habit, so it’s nice to come out here and win, and do it in style,” Harrington said.
The world No. 22, who takes home a check for nearly US$200,000, was quickly into his stride, birdieing three of his first four holes and turning in a 34.
His lead briefly dropped to four after fireworks from South Korea’s Noh and Kiradech on the 11th hole, but the unflustered Irishman extended his lead further after holing a long putt for birdie on the par-five 13th, following up with a birdie on the 14th after his second shot landed close to the pin.
He finished with six birdies against three bogeys, including two bogeys on the last three holes.
Harrington, who surged to joint top of the leaderboard with two eagles in the last three holes in his first round 64, has been a model of consistency throughout the tournament.
Victory at the Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club in southern Malaysia was the first for the 39-year-old in an event sanctioned by any of the major tours since his win at the 2008 PGA Championship.
Harrington, who has also won The Open twice, played with neck pain on Saturday, but said the recurring problem had eased.
Following three days of hot, humid and breezy conditions, play was delayed by two hours because of a thunderstorm.
Defending champion K.J. Choi of South Korea finished in joint eighth position on 11-under with Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie on 10-under.
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