GOLF:Destiny doesn't make things easy. Yesterday, in the 136th British Open on the links of Carnoustie, it called two men; one a temperamental matador who had always seemed destined for major glory, the other an Irishman who started his working life on tour content to be a mere journeyman.

That it was Padraig Harrington who answered the call demonstrated how his goals changed since he first embarked on a career as a professional golfer back in 1995 just because all his peers in the amateur game had done so. Yesterday, Harrington, a 35-year-old Dubliner, achieved greatness, taming the famed links and out-duelling Sergio Garcia in a four-hole play-off to claim the Claret Jug.

This was a momentous day for Irish sport, and as the strains of Molly Malone and The Fields of Athenry and that ubiquitous anthem Ole, Ole, Ole reverberated in turn around the 18th green and the sand dunes on Scotland's eastern shore, Harrington was allowed a tear or two at the presentation ceremony as his thoughts drifted for a moment to his late father, Paddy, who died two years ago and had been his golfing inspiration.

Harrington's victory - the first by an Irish player since Fred Daly's at Hoylake in 1947 - was the stuff of supreme sporting drama. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Garcia seemingly the champion in waiting as he started out with a three-shot lead over Steve Stricker. Harrington was one of seven players six shots adrift at the start of the day. He shot 67 to Garcia's final-round 73.

In the four-hole play-off, Harrington went birdie-par-par-bogey (for 15) to Garcia's bogey-par-par-par (for 16).

Harrington's win ended the drought of eight years since Paul Lawrie became the last European to win a major. For a player who last year topped the European Tour order of merit, this victory represented the pinnacle - so far - of a career that has seen him scale one height after another.

In typical Harrington fashion, this latest and greatest win was not achieved in a straightforward fashion. Just as he had done with the Irish Open in May and the Irish PGA last week, it came after a play-off. But this was more important, far more important, than the others. It was for a major title, taking the Claret Jug from Tiger Woods, who had won for the previous two years.

Despite being twice in the Barry Burn on the 72nd hole, and running up a double-bogey six, Harrington never believed his chance had gone. Instead, he locked himself into the recorder's hut behind the 18th green, turned down the sound on the television so he wouldn't have to listen to negative analysis of how he had finished, and waited for Garcia to play what is probably the toughest finishing hole in golf.

When Garcia, needing a par to win the title, put his approach into a greenside bunker and then missed his par putt, it put the two men - who had soldiered together in last year's Ryder Cup at The K Club - into head-to-head combat.

But Garcia hadn't been happy with the lengthy wait he had taken on the 18th tee, as the final groups backed up while Harrington's play of the hole in regulation saw him visit the Barry Burn on two occasions. "Hitting a three-iron into a green where there's danger everywhere, having to wait at least 15 minutes to hit your shot doesn't help. It doesn't help at all. I wasn't very happy about that."

Still, by the time the play-off started, Harrington was the one who got his head around matters best. He had spent a few minutes on the putting green with his sports psychologist, Bob Rotella, and he immediately birdied the first play-off hole while Garcia bogeyed. This time, he never let the initiative slip.

It was to be Harrington's moment and, when it was all over, and the crowds gave their acclaim on the 18th green, his wife, Caroline, who is expecting the couple's second child in December, and three-year-old son Paddy had a family moment in the full glare of the world's media.

Of that time in the recorder's hut, not knowing if his title bid was over or still alive, and accompanied by his caddie, Ronan Flood, Harrington remarked: "I never let myself feel like I'd lost The Open Championship as I sat watching. The one thing, I never, ever had it in my head that I'd lost.

"I sat there in that hut and I was as disciplined as I could be with my focus not to brood or not to, you know, have what ifs or buts, or to wonder 'if I had done that'. I never let it cross my mind that I'd just thrown away The Open. Obviously if I had just thrown away The Open, if it turned out like that, it would have been incredibly hard to take."

The victory moved Harrington up to sixth in the world rankings, but it's effect he feels will do wonders for Irish golf.

"Obviously, this hasn't sunk in yet. It is going to mean a lot to Irish golf, a lot to all the young lads that are competing as amateurs and who turn pro. Wow, we have an Open champion from Ireland! I'm very proud (of that)."

Harrington has been serenaded in the past to the strains of Molly Malone in places such as Detroit and the Belfry and The K Club; but those had more to do with team wins in the Ryder Cup. This one was for him to savour, all alone. But he wanted to share it with all those who have helped him, his back room team of Rotella and Paul Hurrian and fitness trainer Liam Hennessy . . . but especially with his coach, Bob Torrance, who has been his swing guru for the past 12 years and changed him from a player who returned from the US Open at Congressional in 1997 believing he couldn't cope with major championships unless he altered his swing.

He did change, and yesterday's win - after a number of close calls, most notably at Winged Foot in last year's US Open - confirmed that he was right to lose the mindset of a journeyman to pursue a much tougher road that has led him to major glory.

"You know, the only reason I turned pro (in 1995) was that I went to college and I was 21 and the guys I was able to beat as an amateur were turning pro. It wasn't because I thought I was good enough. I thought I would have a great life and if I did well I'd make a comfortable living on the tour. I thought I'd have a couple of years to learn the ropes, but I started so well that I kept my head down and ran with it," said Harrington.

"It's been a long road.

"I don't know if I ever believed I was going to do it, but I tried to convince myself, especially this week."

Timeline to victory: How the day unfolded for Padraig Harrington

1.45pm- The putting green is occupied by just four players, Padraig Harrington and Stewart Cink . . .and Paul McGinley and Chris DiMarco. Harrington is finishing off his pre-round routine, with caddie Ronan Flood and his sports psychologist Dr Bob Rotella confirming that all is well.

1.55pmThe grandstand by the first tee is packed. The scoreboard shows he is on three-under, six shots behind 54-hole leader Sergio Garcia.

2.00pm- Ivor Robson, the official starter, introduces "Padraig Harrington from Ireland". The greeting leaves him in no doubt of his popularity. He is priced at 20 to 1 with bookmakers.

5.15pm- Harrington eagles the 14th, moving to nine-under and in a share of the lead with Andres Romero.

5.20pm- Romero runs up a double-bogey six on the 17th, leaving Harrington alone in the lead.

6.10 pmHarrington drives into the Barry Burn. It is the first of two visits to the water hazard on the 18th hole as he runs up a double-bogey six to slip to seven-under. It leaves Garcia in the lead on eight-under.

6.30pm- Garcia bogeys the 18th, leaving him level with Harrington.

6.55pm- Harrington birdies the first play-off hole, Garcia bogeys.

7.35pm- Harrington rolls in a bogey putt on the 18th green, which gives him victory. He raises his arms to the heavens. Garcia takes his cap off, and extends a handshake to his conqueror.

7.49pm -Rory McIlroy, from Holywood in Co Down, is introduced on the 18th green and presented with his silver medal as leading amateur.

7.51pm- Harrington is introduced to the words, "The winner of the gold medal and the champion golfer of the year, Padraig Harrington."

7.52pm- Golf's newest major champion gives his acceptance speech. "I'd like to thank the R&A. I've had a close association with the R&A through my amateur career, played in the Walker Cup, so I know all of these gentlemen very well. I've come a long way to win the actual Open Championship. I'm thrilled.

"Thank you very much to all those volunteers in the R&A for their dedicated work over the years. I'd like to congratulate the Carnoustie links, which was without doubt a fantastic lay-out this week in great condition. I don't think there is a player in the field who didn't appreciate the test that we was set here this week and enjoyed the test that was set.

"I'd like to thank all the spectators who turned out today, your support was phenomenal. The marshals did a tremendous job, and I would like to thank all my fans back in Ireland who have supported me over the years, I could feel it today, thank you.

"I'd like to congratulate Rory on his fine achievement, I'm glad I got in before he gets one, I think he will win a few Open championships in the future. He is a fine talent.

"I'd like to commiserate with Sergio, I know a major means so much to Sergio. His time will come. He is only a young lad as it is anyway, so there will be plenty of time for you Sergio.

"I'd like to thank the people behind the scenes working with me. Nobody has taught me more about my game than Bob Torrance, he has worked tirelessly on it for 11 years. Thanks Bob." Harrington also pays tribute to his wife, Caroline, his mother, Breda, and pauses to wipe away a tear from his eyes as he mentions his late father Paddy, who passed away two years ago on the eve of the Open at St Andrews.