So many droughts ended by one man. Sixty years since an Irishman last won the British Open; eight since a European last claimed the claret jug, writes Philip Reid.
Yesterday, a little piece of Scottish coastline was transformed into a home from home for Padraig Harrington, as his victory in golf's oldest major at Carnoustie was accompanied by renditions of Molly Malone and the Fields of Athenry. Who cared if the serenading was out of tune?
Harrington's win - the first by an Irish player since Fred Daly in 1947 - meant that his name is engraved on golf's most famous trophy, alongside the names of past legends like Ben Hogan and Sam Snead, and more recent champions like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. He also won €1.15 million in prize money.
Having started the final round six strokes behind overnight leader Sergio Garcia, Harrington produced a final round 67 to Garcia's 73. A double-bogey six at the last for the 35-year-old Dubliner threatened to leave a sour taste. He retired to the recorder's hut to watch the television, turning off the sound, to watch Garcia finish out, only to be given a second chance when the Spaniard bogeyed the closing hole.
Harrington, who last year topped the European Tour money list, made the most of his reprieve, beating Garcia in the resulting four-hole play-off.
He expects a party of Ryder Cup proportions to celebrate the win. "In Ireland, we celebrate all our sporting achievements. I think we're a great country for anyone who does well . . . I'm very proud of all the support I get at home, the amount of people who wished me well and who believed I was going to win a major championship. Far more people had belief in me than I had myself."