What's in the Bag: Padraig Harrington

Padraig Harrington claimed his first European Tour title in eight years at the Portugal Masters over the weekend, the victory taking his European Tour tally to 15 wins, in his 393rd career start.

The win could catapult Harrington back into the top 100 in the world golf rankings after falling to 159th in recent months, having played some steady golf in the last few years, this is his first regular European Tour win since the 2007 Irish Open.

Getting back to winning ways on the Tour is no easy feat. We take a look at how he achieved it.

Harrington finished on 23 under par for the tournament with an impressive closing round 65, edging out defending champion Andy Sullivan by one shot. On an open course like Victoria Clube de Golfe, Harrington’s lack of driving accuracy was not as much a cause for concern as it might have been on a tighter course. Using his Taylormade Aero Burner drivers (9° and 12°) he managed to hit 51.8% of fairways for the week, placing him 52nd in driving accuracy. However, his driving distance was a formidable 301.5 yards (25th) allowing him to utilise his superb short game to clinch victory.

Harrington used his Taylormade M2 fairway wood (16.5°) and Wilson D-200 hybrid wood (17°) to approach the long par fives in the hope of picking up some easy birdies. The course conditions at the Victoria Clube de Golfe were outstanding and allowed the players to land and hold the ball on the greens with their woods.

Using a combination of woods and Wilson FG Tour V6 irons he managed to hit 69.4% of greens in regulation which placed him far down the list at 67th for the week, a remarkable outcome for a tournament winner. However, when you remember that it is short game virtuoso Padraig Harrington we are talking about, it becomes easier to understand how victory could have been achieved.

Harrington was able to convert 100% of his sand saves throughout the week using his Wilson, FG Tour PMP (52°) and his Ping Eye 2 (60°) wedges. On a course where the greens are littered with tricky, well-paced bunkers, this was no mean feat.

While sand saves are important to keep the momentum of a round going, that energy is created by making birdies, something that Harrington had no trouble with as he took only 25 putts per round. Using his Wilson Infinite Southside putter, the Irishman placed 1st for the week in putts per round.