Padraig Harrington has climbed back into the world's top-20 after his win at the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia over the weekend.
Dubliner on the rise after victory in Malaysia
Padraig Harrington has climbed back into the world's top-20 after his win at the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia over the weekend.
The Dubliner's last tournament victory came over two years ago at the USPGA Championship at Oakland Hills in 2008.
Heading into the final round five clear, Harrington ultimately closed out a three-shot triumph at Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club and jumped up to number 19 in the world as a result.
Afterwards the 39-year-old admitted he had ridden his luck at times, but was delighted to have finally ended his drought.
"Luck of the Irish, I'll accept that," he said. "I got a lot of breaks. Things went my way all four days. There's no doubt that it was my week to win.
"If you had followed me for the four days, I don't think anyone would have questioned that my name was written on the trophy before the tournament started.
"I hit some good shots and at times, the right thing happened at the right time. That's important when you're trying to win.
"It's obviously been a while. Two years is a long time especially when you're reminded every week you play. It's nice and very important for me to go and win.
"Winning is a habit so it's another good reason to keep winning and get back on track.
"Every time you win is important but when you haven't won for a while it does add a bit more to it, add a bit more emphasis to it. It makes it all the more memorable."
Latest leading positions: 1 Tiger Woods 8.49pts, 2 Lee Westwood 8.39, 3 Phil Mickelson 8.12, 4 Martin Kaymer 8.11, 5 Steve Stricker 7.45, 6 Jim Furyk 7.29, 7 Paul Casey 6.07, 8 Luke Donald 5.70, 9 Rory McIlroy 5.49, 10 Matt Kuchar 5.32, 11 Ernie Els 5.27, 12 Dustin Johnson 5.00, 13 Graeme McDowell 4.82, 14 Hunter Mahan 4.68, 15 Edoardo Molinari 4.67, 16 Ian Poulter 4.56, 17 Retief Goosen 4.35, 18 Zach Johnson 4.10, 19 Padraig Harrington 4.05, 20 Louis Oosthuizen 4.03
Other leading Europeans: 23 Justin Rose, 25 Miguel Angel Jimenez, 26 Ross Fisher, 30 Francesco Molinari, 35 Robert Karlsson, 42 Peter Hanson, 47 Henrik Stenson, 51 Alvaro Quiros, 58 Martin Laird, 59 Rhys Davies, 67 Danny Willett, 68 Sergio Garcia, 70 Simon Dyson, 74 Fredrik Andersson Hed, 75 Oliver Wilson, 76 Stephen Gallacher, 86 David Horsey, 87 Brian Davis, 90 Soren Kjeldsen, 91 Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, 97 Chris Wood, 100 Darren Clarke
