Harrington ‘not recognised enough’

Shane Lowry believes Pádraig Harrington isn’t afforded the recognition a three-time Major champion deserves.

Harrington claimed his treble – two British Opens and a US PGA — in the space of just 15 months but has failed to hit the heights in the six years since and is due to miss his first Major since 1999 this month when the US Masters gets under way.

“People don’t realise how hard it is to win,” said Lowry. “Even Irish people don’t realise how good Harrington is. I think Padraig was every bit as good as Brian O’Driscoll is and people don’t see that.

The standard is so good, everyone works so hard and puts so much into their game. You just have to do everything you can to give yourself the best chance of winning.”

Lowry was at a loss to explain what he perceived at the lack of recognition the Dubliner has received. Short memories, perhaps? “Yeah, short memories. Definitely. I mean, winning three Majors. How many players have won more than three Majors? Not many.”