Padraig Harrington

After a play-off victory over Sergio Garcia at Carnoustie in 2007, Padraig Harrington became the first European to win back-to-back Opens since James Braid in 1905-06 when he beat Ian Poulter by four at Royal Birkdale 12 months later.

The historic victory came after fearing that injury might keep him out of his Claret Jug defence.

Only three weeks later, the Dubliner ended a 78-year European drought in the PGA Championship, with Garcia second again.

Winner of the World Cup for Ireland with Paul McGinley in 1997, he made the first of six Ryder Cup appearances two years later and captained the side in America in 2021.

His career includes three other PGA Tour wins in America and 11 PGA Tour Champions titles, among them a triumph at the ISPS Handa Senior Open and two US Senior Opens. He also finished runner-up at both The Tradition and then the Senior Open at Gleneagles, a stroke behind Darren Clarke. Harrington was second in that event again in 2023, losing a play-off to Alex Cejka at Royal Porthcawl.

He led the European Tour money list in 2006, with his victories including the 2007 Irish Open when he became the first home winner for 25 years.

At the age of 49 tied for fourth at the 2021 PGA Championship when world-ranked 257th.