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Ryder Cup 2006 Heroes Return to the K Club at Irish Open

By Joe Walton

KILDARE, IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 24: The European Team pose with The Ryder Cup Trophy during the closing ceremony after Europe win the Ryder Cup by a score of 18 1/2 - 9 1/2 on the final day of the 2006 Ryder Cup at The K Club on September 24, 2006 in Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
KILDARE, IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 24: The European Team pose with The Ryder Cup Trophy during the closing ceremony after Europe win the Ryder Cup by a score of 18 1/2 - 9 1/2 on the final day of the 2006 Ryder Cup at The K Club on September 24, 2006 in Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON;MA – AUGUST 28: Golfer Padraig Harrington of Ireland poses with the Claret Jug and Wanamaker Trophy following his wins in the 137th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale and the 90th PGA Championship at Oakland Hills during a photoshoot in Boston, MA,USA on the 28th of August 2008. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images) /

Padraig Harrington

The Ryder Cup win of 2006 was a massive moment for Padraig Harrington but it was nothing compared to what was waiting around the corner.

He turned up to the K Club 10 years ago as one of Ireland’s best golfers, having picked up wins on both the European and PGA Tours, but he failed to really live up to expectation. Harrington only picked up half a point in the Ryder Cup and would have felt just a little flat as he joined in the celebrations.

At that point there were questions about his position as one of the stars of European golf but he answered those emphatically.

In 2007 he became Ireland’s first winner of The Open in 60 years by defeating Sergio Garcia in a playoff at Carnoustie. Harrington enjoyed his status as The Open champion but in the build-up to his 2008 defence it looked as though a wrist injury would keep him out.

Thankfully he healed in time and he promptly went on to become the first European to successfully defend the Claret Jug in over 100 years. He also won the year’s next major, the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills joining an elite list of players to have won back-to-back majors.

Since that PGA Championship victory he’s only won once more – the 2015 Honda Classic – as he’s really struggled with his game. Harrington remains one of golf’s hardest workers and there remains a chance he could just turn back the clock at the K Club this week.

Next: Robert Karlsson

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