2007 Open

lil eva · 2007 Open

Irishman Padraig Harrington beat Sergio Garcia of Spain by one stroke in a four-hole British Open playoff on Sunday to land his maiden victory in a major and the first by a European for eight years.

Harrington, 35, completed the extra holes in 15 shots (level par) after the two Ryder Cup colleagues had finished the championship locked together on seven-under 277 following an incident-packed day of high drama on the east coast of Scotland.

Garcia, who had led the championship from day one, returned a closing two-over 73 while his playoff rival had a four-under 67.

"I have come a long way," Harrington said as he choked back the tears after becoming the first Irish winner of the Open since Fred Daly in 1947. "When I turned pro I would have settled for becoming a journeyman.

"It’s been great to be named as someone who could win a major but that brings its own pressure. To actually go and do it, well I don’t know what to think.

"I’m sure there’s a helluva party going on back in Ireland."

Argentina’s Andres Romero was third on 278 after a remarkable 67 that included 10 birdies, two double-bogeys and two bogeys.