Harrington more complete than McIlroy
There are lies and damned statistics but the numbers produced by the European Tour boffins give Padraig Harrington the edge over Rory McIlroy this year.
Yes, McIlroy topped the stroke average and almost won the inaugural Race to Dubai while Harrington floundered in swing tinkering hell for half the season before exploding into life in August.
But if you add together their ranking in the nine Genworth Financial Statistics categories, Harrington finished an average of six places ahead of McIlroy.
The stats analayse nine aspects of play: stroke average, driving accuracy, driving distance, greens hit in regulation (GIR), putts per GIR, putts per round, sand saves, scrambling and single putts per round.
It was no surprise to learn that Harrington was outplayed by McIlroy in the long game department. But around the greens, the Dubliner showed why he is a three time major winner.
Not only was he first on tour for his scrambling abilities around the green, he was ranked in the top 10 in all five short game categories.
Adding together their rankings in each statistical department, Harrington came up the lowest total of the 12 Irishmen on tour this year with Gareth Maybin ranked third and Graeme McDowell fourth.
Estoril Open winner Michael Hoey was last.
Looking for the ultimate Irish tour player? Combine McIlroy's driving distance and iron play with the accuracy of Peter Lawrie and Harrington's short game wizardry and you have a player capable of winning anything.
(1) Padraig Harrington 252 points (average position 28th)
Stroke average 70.33 (12)
Driving accuracy 58.7 (133)
Driving distance 292.3 (43)
GIR 71.0 (39)
Putts per GIR 1.743 (7)
Putts per round 28.7 (4)
Sand saves 68.8% (4)
Scrambles 69.2% (1)
One putts 6.36 (9)
(2) Rory McIlroy 309 points (average position 34th)
Stroke average 69.51 (1)
Driving accuracy 63.0 (66)
Driving distance 301.4 (5)
GIR 78.1 (3)
Putts per GIR 1.761 (20)
Putts per round 30.0 (111)
Sand saves 66.2% (9)
Scrambles 58.65 (28)
One putts 5.63 (66)
(3) Gareth Maybin 573 points (average position 64th)
Stroke average 70.70 (30)
Driving accuracy 67.7 (16)
Driving distance 278.9 (162)
GIR 72.7 (23)
Putts per GIR 1.769 (37)
Putts per round 30.0 (111)
Sand saves 54.5% (76)
Scrambles 55.4% (64)
One putts 5.69 (54)
(4) Graeme McDowell 586 points (average position 65th)
Stroke average 70.73 (33)
Driving accuracy 68.8% (10)
Driving distance 287.1 (80)
GIR 68.8 (75)
Putts per GIR 1.780 (63)
Putts per round 29.7 (71)
Sand saves 42.7% (174)
Scrambles 57.5% (42)
One putts 5.83 (38)
(5) Peter Lawrie 597 pts (average position 66th)
Stroke average 70.77 (35)
Driving accuracy 72.0 pc (5)
Driving distance 277.6 (166)
GIR 69.2 (68)
Putts per GIR 1.763 (27)
Putts per round 29.6 (63)
Sand saves 49.4% (131)
Scrambles 57.7% (38)
One putts 5.63 (64)
(6) Darren Clarke 629 points (average position 70th)
Stroke average 71.11 (63)
Driving accuracy 65.7 (34)
Driving distance 288.3 (70)
GIR 69.4 (63)
Putts per GIR 1.778 (56)
Putts per round 30.0 (111)
Sand saves 58.1% (48)
Scrambles 51.6% (126)
One putts 5.66 (58)
(7) Damien McGrane 730 points (average position 81st)
Stroke average 71.05 (59)
Driving accuracy 59.8 (114)
Driving distance 279.7 (155)
GIR 67.8 (95)
Putts per GIR 1.778 (56)
Putts per round 29.1 (15)
Sand saves 48.4% (140)
Scrambles 62.8% (6)
One putts 5.48 (90)
(8) Paul McGinley 863 points (average position 96th)
Stroke average 71.46 (91)
Driving accuracy 63.8 (58)
Driving distance 281.7 (132)
GIR 65.1 (139)
Putts per GIR 1.779 (59)
Putts per round 29.6 (63)
Sand saves 48.7% (137)
Scrambles 54.0% (85)
One putts 5.43 (99)
(9) Shane Lowry 911 points (average position 101st)
Stroke average 71.73 (114)
Driving accuracy 65.7 (34)
Driving distance 290.1 (59)
GIR 68.2 (87)
Putts per GIR 1.803 (118)
Putts per round 29.9 (94)
Sand saves 50.0% (120)
Scrambles 51.9% (121)
One putts 4.80 (164)
(10) Gary Murphy 1,005 points (average position 112th)
Stroke average 71.86 (128)
Driving accuracy 64.1 (54)
Driving distance 279.6 (156)
GIR 70.4 (48)
Putts per GIR 1.807 (128)
Putts per round 30.6 (161)
Sand saves 50.8% (116)
Scrambles 51.6% (126)
One putts 5.49 (88)
(11) Jonathan Caldwell 1,045 points (average position 116th)
Stroke average 72.89 (204)
Driving accuracy 61.3 (84)
Driving distance 282.8 (117)
GIR 69.2 (182)
Putts per GIR 1.816 (148)
Putts per round 29.4 (43)
Sand saves 55.95% (62)
Scrambles 55.5% (62)
One putts 5.06 (143)
(12) Michael Hoey 1,084 points (average position 120th)
Stroke average 71.96 (140)
Driving accuracy 58.8 (131)
Driving distance 291.2 (51)
GIR 63.6 (160)
Putts per GIR 1.817 (149)
Putts per round 29.7 (71)
Sand saves 53.3% (88)
Scrambles 52.5% (111)
One putts 4.56 (183)