Harrington, an envoy for title associate ISPS HANDA, is the third Irish winner of the Senior Open, after Clarke and the late Christy O’Connor Jnr, a two-time winner.
“As you become older you realise lots of issues, [including] legacy,” he stated.
“You wish to win on a terrific golf course like Sunningdale, you wish to do issues that stand out and having gained The Open, and now profitable the Senior Open it does give some validation. It’s definitely satisfying to do it, prolong your profession that method.
“There are some nice names on the trophy. I used to be wanting on the board inside with all of the winners and it’s a deep sense of satisfaction figuring out that I’ve carried out each.”
After twice ending as a runner-up, together with on his Senior Open debut in 2022, Harrington admitted time was of the essence as he sought to affix an unique membership.
“You come to this stage of your profession and there’s solely a sure window,” he added.
“You’ll be able to win afterward as a senior however the window is as much as 55-56 they are saying, so that you wish to get it carried out.
“Having had a few second locations, I didn’t wish to go away it too lengthy.”
FINAL ROUND
Beginning the day with a two-shot lead after successive rounds of 65, Harrington capitalised on discovering the inexperienced on the first in two by holing the putt for his first eagle of the week to maneuver three clear as taking part in associate Leonard made a birdie.
Harrington has spoken this week about not feeling fully relaxed along with his recreation, however his strategy play was distinctive within the early levels, creating good birdie probabilities on the second, third and fourth.
Whereas he was unable to reap the benefits of these, the 53-year-old moved 4 photographs forward with a birdie putt from round 15 ft on the sixth.
After a irritating three-putt bogey on the eighth, Harrington and Leonard birdied the quick par 4 ninth to go away the in a single day chief 4 clear on the flip.
DON’T LOOK AT LEADERBOARDS
Enjoying within the group forward, Bjørn received off to a gradual begin with eight pars in a row, however his spherical ignited across the flip with 4 birdies in a six-hole stretch from the ninth to briefly get inside two of the lead.
“I didn’t know [Bjørn] did it, I by no means have a look at leaderboards,” stated Harrington when requested how conscious he was of the momentum the Dane was constructing.
“The one time I noticed a leaderboard was on 18. I requested Ronan [Flood, his caddie] on 17 what was my lead, and by no means checked out a leaderboard.
“I used to be totally centered on what I used to be doing.”
Harrington all the time appeared in management, displaying his contact across the inexperienced on the par 5 14th to stand up and down for birdie and transfer three clear once more.
Whereas Bjørn misplaced floor along with his first bogey of the day on the sixteenth, Harrington might afford to drop a stroke on the seventeenth after discovering the greenside bunker along with his strategy and nonetheless take a three-shot lead as Leonard additionally made bogey.
After discovering the green on the 18th, he allowed himself a smile and duly wrapped up victory with an assured two-putt par as he was met by rapturous applause.
Scott Hend completed solo fourth at 12 below after a closing 65, a rating matched by countryman Cameron Percy who was alongside Ernie Els a shot additional again.
