Golf: Harrington happy for Daly

Padraig Harrington is glad to see John Daly back in golf’s spotlight - even though he now has to reflect on his own sixth runners-up finish of the season and 15th of his career.

Daly ended six eventful, controversial years without a victory when he beat the Irishman with a last-hole birdie in the BMW International Open in Munich yesterday.

The 35-year-old’s last success was the 1995 Open at St Andrews and last season he slumped to 188th on the US Tour and outside the world’s top 300.

He had not even had a top-10 finish since 1998 and had lost his invitation to the Masters at Augusta each April.

But rather than going on the sort of downward alcohol-induced spiral that has blighted much of his career, Daly rededicated himself to the sport and now has finally got the result he was looking for.

His winning score of 27 under par equalled the European tour record.

Harrington, fourth on the European Order of Merit with nearly £850,000 even though he has yet to win, stated: ‘‘It’s nice to see John back in the winner’s enclosure.

‘‘Off the tee he hit it superbly. I knew it was going to go all the way and he really never missed a drive all day.

‘‘He did everything that he is known for from his two major wins (the other was the 1991 US PGA). Anybody can hit it long, but it’s the fact that he was so straight.

‘‘He is a lovely putter, has a lovely touch and it adds up to a very nice player.’’