Harrington claims Tour prize

Padraig Harrington has been named the European Tour Golfer of the Month for July following the successful defence of his Open Championship title at Royal Birkdale.

The Irishman scored a four-stroke victory over England’s Ian Poulter to become the first European since James Braid in 1905-06 to retain the Open title and only the 16th of all-time to win the Auld Claret Jug back to back.

Harrington is also one of only four golfers to have successfully defended a major title in the last 20 years, the others being Curtis Strange (US Open, 1989), Nick Faldo (Masters 1990) and Tiger Woods (US PGA 2000 & 2007; Masters 2002, Open 2006).