Harrington wins Irish PGA by four shots

Padraig Harrington headed Royal Birkdale on a winning note after cruising to a four-shot win in the Labrokes.com Irish PGA at the European Club.

Eight strokes clear after a birdie at the 15th, he bogeyed the 16th and then double bogeyed the 18th after a visit to the water for closing 72 that left him on one-over par.

Philip Walton was second on five-over after outgunning Harrington by two shots with a 70 with David Higgins (70) in third place on seven over.

Harrington took six at the last when he put his four iron approach in a hazard short of the green but he was still happy with his preparations for next week's Open defence after landing his fifth domestic crown.

Despite those late mistakes, Harrington was still pleased with his form ahead of his Open title defence, explaining: "I still have things to work on for next week but a victory is always good.

"It was a pity to drop a few shots at the end there, which is a good lesson in itself. It just shows you that you can never let up but I am happy with my week.

"My alignment was a little bit off because of the neck injury I had last week and that meant I had to concentrate a little bit harder. It was a good exercise in focus this week and I got to hit a few more short game shots, which is always good.

"I hit some nice irons shot and putted lovely all week, which is always pleasing. So it has been an excellent week and I couldn't have asked for better preparation."

Final Scoreboard:

285 - P Harrington (Unattached) 75, 68, 70, 72;

289 - P Walton (Unattached) 73, 73, 73, 70;

291 - D Higgins (Waterville) 80, 72, 69, 70;

293 - E Darcy (La Salle) 75, 73, 73, 72;

297 - R Giles (Greenore) 73, 73, 75, 76;

299 - M Staunton (Black Bush) 81, 74, 73, 71; J Dignam (Slade Valley) 78, 72, 72, 77;

300 - M Collins (Mallow DR) 72, 77, 81, 70; W O'Callaghan (Carrighdoun DR) 75, 76, 73, 76; E Brady (Clontarf) 74, 72, 77, 77;

301 - G Robinson (Coollattin) 77, 73, 73, 78;

302 - D Mooney (Nevada Bobs) 80, 71, 75, 76;

304 - B McGovern (Headfort) 76, 74, 76, 78; D Mortimer (Team Ireland) 74, 78, 74, 78;

306 - E Tracey (Ballina) 76, 78, 74, 78;

307 - J Kelly (St Margaret's) 77, 75, 79, 77;

308 - F Howley (Carton House) 87, 73, 81, 67; S Thornton (Royal Co Down) 77, 77, 76, 78;

309 - D McNamara (Portmarnock) 82, 76, 76, 75;

310 - P Martin (Riverside Academy) 79, 74, 81, 76; G Burke (Curragh) 78, 77, 77, 78;

312 - J Dwyer (Ashbourne) 78, 81, 76, 77; C McVitty (Bundoran) 78, 78, 78, 78;

313 - A Murray (Greystones) 84, 75, 76, 78;

314 - J Foster (Greenacres) 81, 79, 79, 75; I Kerr (Carlow GR) 82, 74, 82, 76; C Mallon (Narin & Portnoo) 81, 79, 78, 76;

315 - J Langan (Leopardstown Golf Ctr) 79, 78, 78, 80;

316 - L Walker (Dundalk) 82, 79, 79, 76; M Mulryan (Athenry) 84, 73, 82, 77; J Heggarty (Claremorris) 80, 76, 81, 79;

317 - E O'Connor (Kilkenny) 71, 88, 80, 78;

318 - K O'Neill (Co Sligo) 75, 81, 85, 77; DP Jones (Royal Portrush) 82, 77, 81, 78; G Lunny (Nass) 76, 78, 84, 80;

319 - B Kelleher (Golf Works Cork) 84, 73, 81, 81; J Geraghty (Old Conna) 83, 78, 76, 82;

320 - T Higgins (TH Golf) 75, 81, 84, 80;

322 - P Jones (Coollattin) 78, 80, 83, 81;

323 - J Fay (Co Meath) 80, 80, 81, 82;

325 - B Kerley (Greenlife Golf Ctr) 86, 74, 81, 84; S Deegan (Spawell) 79, 74, 87, 85;

326 - J Murray (Malahide) 79, 81, 85, 81;

328 - J Bolger (Kilkenny) 77, 80, 87, 84;

329 - P Hanna (Fortwilliam) 81, 80, 85, 83; M McTernan (Co Sligo) 80, 78, 86, 85; D Byrne (Unattached) 78, 80, 85, 86;

320 - K Grealy (Athlone) 81, 79, 82, 78;

326 - D Hughes (Portadown) 82, 78, 82, 84;