Padraig Harrington has become the first Irishman in 60 years to win the British Open after a dramatic final day at Carnoustie that ended with a four hole play-off with long time leader Sergio Garcia of Spain. The Dubliner and Spaniard went back to the first after finishing 72 holes on seven-under-par.
They may well have had company in the shape of little known Andres Romero had the Argentinean not dropped three shots in the final two holes after a round that included 10 birdies.
That wasn't to be for the young South American and so it went to a play-off between two of the world's best, both in the hunt for their first major.
Harrington started six shots behind overnight leader Garcia but struck the ball sweetly all day and dragged himself back into contention with a 67. He almost undid all his good work at the final hole, however, when he found the water twice but got up and down for a six and then watched Garcia lip his putt on the same green moments later to ensure another four holes.
The Dubliner was coolness personified going to the first tee and got down in three after two beautiful shots set up a 10 foot birdie putt. Garcia found the bunker and ended up two shots behind his opponent going to the 16th.
The Spaniard almost struck back on the par three when his tee shot hit the flag after Harrington missed the green to the left. The ricochet, however, left Garcia a sizeable putt and both players settled for par.
It was honours even on the next as well and with a two shot advantage and memories of a disastrous 18th fresh in the head, Harrington opted to use the 17th fairway and lay up for an approach to the last. Garcia's drive veered left but sat well on an uphill lie in light rough. His second had the crowd on their feet and gave him a glimmer of hope with Harrington yet to take on the green from 102 yards.
The European number one hit his third outside Garcia's and putted to within three-and-a-half feet. Garcia lipped his again but finished out to leave a pressure putt on Harrington for the championship. The Irishman was equal to the challenge and displayed emotion for the first time of the day as his ball dropped into the hall, securing his place alongside great names in the process.
Speaking afterwards an emotional Harrington: "I convinced myself all week I was going to win, but I never let myself think of winning, or something like that anyway.
"I just focused on my target and hit the putt. I looked up with about a foot to go and it was going in the middle of the hole. I didn't know what to think.
" I think if I had lost it would have been very hard to take it. But because of the fact that i still had a chance I didn;t allow myself to get down and I stayed positive. I convinced myself that if I got to the play-off I'd make it," he told BBC television.
Harrington's performance capped a great weekend for the Irish with 18-year-old amateur Rory McIlroy claiming the silver medal for his performance that saw him finish the tournament on five-over-par, while having begun today's round alongside Harrington Paul McGinley finished 19th on one-under-par.
Tiger Woods's dream of a third consecutive title was sunk in the wet conditions as he finished five off the pace. The world No 1 was aiming to become the first man since Australian Peter Thomson in 1956 to win three claret jugs in a row. But he never threatened and closed on two-under 282 after a final-round 70.
The tournament was due a European winner, however, having endured an eight year wait since Scotland's Paul Lawrie claimed the honour, but it is in emulating Belfast's Fred Daly that Harrington will take the most pride.
Romero claimed third place on his own, while sharing fourth spot on five under were Australian left-hander Richard Green, who fired a course record-equalling 64 and South African Ernie Els (69).