Padraig Harrington Takes Third Straight Irish PGA Championship

They say the best way to prepare for a big tournament, especially one in which you're going to be defending your title, especially one as HUGE as The British Open, is to win a tournament right before it.  Yep, the momentum of winning can sometimes carry over and make winning again all the easier.  That's exactly what Padraig Harrington is hoping as he just took home his third straight Irish PGA Championship in convincing fashion.

Month of Poor Golfing Ends

What might be making Harrington even MORE comfortable going into the British this coming Thursday, however, is that he finally turned around an entire month of poor golf with a few great rounds that led to this championship.  Whether or not it's the full turnaround he's been looking for remains to be seen, but it has to feel great going into the British fresh off a win of this size.

Seven Stroke Lead

Harrington had little issue and almost no problem winning this one again as even a final round +1 didn't stop him from taking top honors by 7 strokes over amateur golfer Brian McElhinney.  Think it's odd that Harrington chooses to play the Irish PGA instead of a sanctioned golf tournament before the British?  You shouldn't be...according to reports:

"Harrington prefers to play the Irish PGA, which is not sanctioned by any of the major tours, to prepare himself for links golf, which he will face at Turnberry. He has won the last two years at the Irish PGA, then gone on to win the British Open."

Will Victory Lead to Victory

Well, if it works, it works.  Apparently it's been working for Harrington as he took home the championship at the British last year.  The biggest hurdle he'll have to face, however, is himself.  He's failed to make the cut in his last 5 tournaments on the PGA Tour...not exactly the frame of mine you want going into a title defense.  That could mean this win at the Irish is even More important.  We'll see!