Padraig Harrington ended The 2001 European Tour International Schedule on a winning note after seven second place finishes when he birdied three of the final four holes to edge out fellow Irishman Paul McGinley in the Volvo Masters Andalucia at Montecastillo Hotel and Golf Resort.
The 30 year old won a contest between two committed Dubliners to claim his first title of the season right at the death, and he did so in considerable style. Harrington closed with a 66, six under par, for a total of 204, 12 under, in the tournament which was curtailed to 54 holes due to high winds on Saturday.
McGinley, two ahead of the field going into the final day, shot a 70 to finish one stroke behind on 205 after his 25 foot birdie putt on the last stayed out just minutes after Harrington had made his from 20 feet.
On a superb last day in Jerez, no fewer than four players were in contention for the title, and it was Harrington who reaped the rewards with birdies at the 15th, 16th and 18th to get the better of McGinley, Australian Adam Scott and another Irish challenger, Darren Clarke.
Scott closed with a wonderful 65 to get to 206, 10 under par, but three putts at the 16th cost him his chance of applying pressure on Harrington and McGinley.
Meanwhile Clarke, a past champion and second last year, saw his chance disappear with a second shot into the water on the same hole which cost him a bogey six. He finished in a tie for fourth.
Harrington’s cheque for 539,074 euro (£333,330) lifted him into second place on the Volvo Order of Merit behind Retief Goosen – one second place he won’t mind after lying fourth going into the Volvo Masters Andalucia.
However he did beat Goosen in one other area – topping the Reuters Official Performance Data stroke average category.
Harrington said: "Obviously to win the Volvo Masters Andalucia in any career is a big deal and especially mine. This is by far the biggest the title I've won.
"What maks it more special was the fact that it came after seven second place finishes. You start to ask questions: will you get the breaks and what did you do wrong? That makes it more special.
"It is every little kid's dream to hole a putt on the last to win and I couldn't ask for more. I could hardly speak afterwards. I was very focused. Unbelievable."
McGinley finished eighth on the Volvo Order of Merit while Scott’s third place finish moved him into the top 15 in his second season on The European Tour in 13th place.
McGinley, winner of The Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open during an outstanding 2001 season, commented: “What can I say? I rallied very well after a bad start and let everyone back into the tournament.
“Obviously it was Padraig’s day. He doesn’t back off and was unlucky in a lot of the tournaments where he was beaten. The law of averages was going to balance out eventually and I am happy for him.”
Harrington and McGinley now head for Japan where they will try to win the World Golf Championships-EMC2 World Cup for their country, emulating their victory at Kiawah Island in 1997.
