Ahern pays tribute to Harrington's Open victory

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today paid tribute to the "skill, courage and nerve" of new British Open champion Padraig Harrington at a reception in Government Buildings in Dublin.

Harrington beat Spain's Sergio Garcia in a four-hole playoff at Carnoustie on Sunday to bag his first Major and become the first Irish golfer to win the Open in 60 years.

The Dublin sportsman was accompanied by his wife Caroline at today's reception which was also attended by the Minister for Sport Seamus Brennan.

Harrington has finished in the top 10 of several Major tournaments and tied for seventh in the US Masters in April.

Mr Ahern said to Harrington: "We salute your skill and courage, and the manner in which you maintained your composure.

"Of course the brutal reality of golf is such that when you are standing over a putt to win the British Open, and a nation's heart is skipping a beat, there is no place to hide, and nobody to take the burden from you.

"We admired the brilliant yet calm and calculating way you played. It truly was a privilege to watch you rise to the occasion in the climax to one of the finest British Opens in history," he said.

Harrington turned professional in 1995 and has since notched a World Cup victory with fellow Dubliner Paul McGinley in 1997, Ryder Cup successes and the 2006 European Order of Merit title.

The Taoiseach said Harrington had not just won for Ireland but had given European golf its first success in a Major title since 1999.

Describing Harrington as a "national sporting hero", Mr Ahern said the moment the golfer lifted the famous Claret Jug ranked "alongside the greatest achievements in our country's sporting history".

Mr Ahern also acknowledged the part played in the victory by caddy Ronan Flood and Harrington's late father, Paddy.

The Taoiseach also paid tribute to leading amateur at the Open, 18-year-old Rory McIIroy from Co Down.

Harrington will also be honoured by his local authority, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in the autumn.