Padraig Harrington made his debut on the PGA Tour in 2005. Having made over 346 starts, the Irishman is known for his mental fortitude. However, in a recent episode of the Cookie Jar Golf podcast, he revealed that Rory McIlroy affected his self-confidence.
“People think I stopped playing after 2008. I had a much better year in 2009, especially since the second half of 2009. I had a much better year in 2010. My best year, stats-wise, tee-to-green, was in 2012 when I was broken. Rory broke me in 2011. [He] broke everybody but forget that, I was the best player. That’s what I believed.”
“I’ve won three Majors just recently. I’m in great form. I prepared right. I go into this tournament and Rory does something that I can’t compete with…He’s just blown us all away. But that’s okay, if I thought I could get better, that’s fine. So when Tiger was doing that in the early 2000s, I was only on my way up. This is me at my best and I don’t think I can compete with him…In 2008, I was not looking over my shoulder. I was only concerned about me. 2011 onwards, I’m now thinking I’m not good enough. I need to be a better version of me to compete with Rory.”
How many Majors do Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy have?
Padraig Harrington (3 Majors)
- Wins: 0
- Appearances: 16
- Cuts Made: 9
- Top 10 finishes: 4
- Wins: 0
- Appearances: 17
- Cuts Made: 13
- Top 10 finishes: 5
- Wins: 2 (2007, 2008)
- Appearances: 27
- Cuts Made: 17
- Top 10 finishes: 4
- Wins: 1 (2008)
- Appearances: 25
- Cuts Made: 12
- Top 10 finishes: 3
Rory McIlroy (4 Majors)
- Wins: 0
- Appearances: 16
- Cuts Made: 13
- Top 10 finishes: 7
- Wins: 1 (2011)
- Appearances: 16
- Cuts Made: 15
- Top 10 finishes: 9
- Wins: 1 (2014)
- Appearances: 15
- Cuts Made: 12
- Top 10 finishes: 7
- Wins: 2 (2012, 2014)
- Appearances: 16
- Cuts Made: 15
- Top 10 finishes: 8
