He’d done so much right.
There was a time when Padraig Harrington and the back nine on Sunday were a match made in heaven. With three major championships under his belt, the Dubliner more than earned his reputation as a nerveless competitor.
But even he hasn’t been immune from the march of time. Harrington will celebrate his 47th birthday this week but his cake won’t taste all that sweet after failing to get the job done in the Czech Masters.
The 15-time European Tour winner finished second to unheralded Italian Andrea Pavan as the 29-year-old produced a stunning back-nine to clinch his first win on the main tour and edge Harrington after a tense shootout.
Harrington, searching for his first win in two years just a week after losing his PGA Tour card, controlled proceedings in Prague for much of the round, taking a three-shot advantage into the back-nine.
The Irishman started the day tied for the lead with Pavan but turned in 33 to move three clear, producing some excellent golf in the process.
"Absolutely relentless."
Harrington goes out in 33. Leads by three. pic.twitter.com/X5jPiMj9TA
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) August 26, 2018
Dialled-in, he came within inches of an ace at the 13th.
What a response. What a shot 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻#CzechMasters pic.twitter.com/pdR4PrjSuQ
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) August 26, 2018
Pavan, however, just wouldn’t go away and took full advantage when Harrington hooked his drive left on the 15th. The wayward tee shot spelled a first – and only – bogey of the day for Harrington as Pavan birdied for a two-shot swing to tie.
Then, on the 16th, Pavan did this. Not a bad way to take the lead with just two holes remaining.
What a putt, @AndreaPavan89!
He takes the lead with two holes to play. pic.twitter.com/Cz0DKa4shh
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) August 26, 2018
And he wasn’t done there. After Harrington to sink his birdie effort on 16, Pavan sunk another on 17 to establish a two-shot advantage as they went to 18.
A par on the final hole finished the job for Pavan but Harrington will be cursing his only major mistake of the day – that tee shot on the 15th. It proved to be a crucial shift in the momentum.
Pavan came home in 31. Hats off to the Italian. He played superbly and is a worthy champion. We’re just disappointed for Harrington. He kept us entertained though.
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