Harrington wins play-off on enthralling final day

PadraigHarrington-Cropped

Padraig Harrington triumphed over Daniel Berger in a play-off at the Honda Classic to claim victory on an enthralling final day's play at Palm Beach Gardens on Monday.

The Irishman won his first PGA Tour title since his USPGA Championship success in 2008 on the second extra play-off hole in Florida.

Harrington's chance looked to have gone when he carded a double bogey at the 17th hole after hitting into the water on his approach. However, the three-time major winner birdied the last to force the extra holes.

Berger, who carded a 64, then missed a 13-foot putt for victory on the first additional hole at the 18th before wilting under the pressure following a stunning approach shot from Harrington at 17.

The American, who had been nine shots behind joint overnight leader Ian Poulter at the start of the final round, replicated his opponent's earlier error to hand Harrington his second Honda Classic win, some 10 years after his first. 

Poulter and English compatriot Paul Casey led the way on seven under heading into the fifth day of the tournament, which had been heavily disrupted by a large thunderstorm on Saturday.

But the pair both fell away to finish on five under, with Poulter posting a four-over 74 for the final round in which he carded a triple bogey at 14 after finding the water twice and the greenside bunker.

That enabled Berger and Harrington - who posted four straight birdies from holes 11 to 14 - to move to the top of the leaderboard on six under before Harrington's experience eventually told.

Harrington told NBC: "When I get into tension I can hit the shots. When I've got tough shots I can hit them.

"I really do believe in myself, I think I've found that mental edge that I've been lacking. Hopefully I can stick with that going forward."

Berger added: "It was a great lerning experience to be in this position. That putt at 18 I was the most nervous I've ever been in my life.

"Unfortunately it wasn't my day but it was an awesome experience."
 
 

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