Pádraig Harrington wrote his name into history as he became the fifth player to win both The Open and ISPS HANDA Senior Open, winning his second Senior Major Championship of the season at Sunningdale.
The Irishman, who secured his second US Senior Open title last month, finished three strokes ahead of Thomas Bjørn and Justin Leonard to claim his third Senior Major victory.
Harrington, who won The Open in 2007 and defended the Championship in 2008, joins Bob Charles, Darren Clarke, Gary Player and Tom Watson as the only men in history to have won both the Claret Jug and Senior Open Trophy.
The 53-year-old started the day with a two-stroke lead over Leonard, which he immediately increased to three after an eagle at the first on the Old Course at Sunningdale. Further gains at the sixth and ninth holes saw his lead extend to four strokes after the turn, but Bjørn moved to within two after a run of four birdies in six holes from the ninth.
The Dane’s momentum was halted by a bogey at the 16th and, despite dropping a shot of his own on the 17th, Harrington held a three-stroke lead on the 18th tee.
Playing partner Leonard also tried to apply pressure, but ultimately signed for a two-under 68 and a 13 under par total. Harrington hit his approach safely on the 18th green and had two putts for par for a 67, a 16-under-par total, and his 11th victory since joining the over-50s ranks.
“I’m thrilled to have won but very satisfied that I’ve won a Senior Open with my two Opens,” said Harrington, who was given the honour of hitting the first tee shot at The Open at Royal Portrush. “The fact that only five people have ever done it is quite special. I’m quite proud that I’ve managed to survive this long in the game.”
WINNING WITH WILSON
Harrington delivered a masterful performance at Sunningdale with his Wilson Staff Model CB irons and Staff Model ZM wedges, recording 21 birdies and an eagle on his way to his historic three-stroke victory.
The win represents another Major milestone in the longest-running player-equipment partnership in modern golf — an extraordinary 27-season relationship between Wilson Golf and its most successful Tour ambassador of recent decades. Harrington has now amassed 43 professional victories worldwide with 11 titles on the PGA Tour Champions, securing multiple victories in each of the past four seasons.
Looking ahead to 2026, he has the opportunity to make further history by becoming the first player ever to win back-to-back titles at both The Open Championship and the Senior Open Championship, as Gleneagles prepares to host the ISPS Handa Senior Open.
“We are absolutely thrilled for Padraig, who has represented Wilson with distinction for more than two decades,” said Bob Thurman, General Manager of Wilson Golf. “He is not only one of the greatest ambassadors for golf, but for sport as a whole, and we couldn’t be prouder to have him as part of the Wilson family.”
“Padraig has always had a strong connection with The Open and, more recently, the Senior Open,” Thurman added. “Many forget that he narrowly missed out in 2022 by a single shot and then lost in a playoff the following year. To see him finally lift the trophy and secure his place in the history books is incredibly special for all of us at Wilson.”