Padraig Harrington looking forward

Padraig Harrington is looking forward to the rest of the season following his success at last week’s Honda Classic.

The three times major winner secured victory in Florida after defeating American Daniel Berger on the second play-off hole at the PGA National Golf Club.

That triumph was his first success on either the European or PGA Tour’s since his last major victory in the PGA Championship back in 2008.

Harrington is now looking to use the victory as a momentum builder going into the rest of the season, particularly with his home tournament the Irish Open coming up in May.

The 43-year-old regards the event as being a “fifth major” in his schedule, as he aims to repeat the success he had when he won the tournament back in 2007.

He said: “The Irish Open is my fifth Major and always one of the first events on my schedule, for obvious reasons.”

The event this year will take place in Northern Ireland for the first time since 2012 and Harrington is hopeful it will be as successful at Royal County Down as it was at Royal Portrush three years ago.

He continued: “The last time the Irish Open was played in Northern Ireland, at Royal Portrush in 2012, it was a huge success and I was glad to be in the mix on the final day.”

Success at the tournament in 2007 helped the Irishman go on to win his first major title at the subsequent Open Championship and he will be hoping for a similar outcome at both tournaments this year as well.