Which Irish golfer defended his Open title by winning at Royal Birkdale in 2008?

Pádraig Harrington defended his Open Championship title by winning at Royal Birkdale in 2008.

Harrington entered the tournament as the reigning champion after his playoff victory at Carnoustie in 2007. His defence was initially in doubt because he had injured his wrist only eight days before the event, but he recovered sufficiently to compete at Royal Birkdale.

The Irishman began the final round two shots behind Greg Norman, yet he produced a decisive back nine. He shot a four-under-par 32 over the closing nine, including an eagle at the par-five 17th after a superb approach. His final-round 69 gave him a four-stroke victory over Ian Poulter.

The result made Harrington only the fifth golfer in the previous 50 years to win the Open in consecutive years. It also made him the first European golfer since James Braid in 1906 to retain the Claret Jug. The main common mix-up is confusing Harrington’s 2008 defence with his much tighter 2007 playoff against Sergio García.