ADARE, Ireland (AP) — Padraig Harrington beat Bradley Dredge on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff Sunday to become the first Irishman to win the Irish Open in 25 years.
The 35-year-old Dubliner parred the long 18th in the playoff to beat Dredge, who got tangled in heavy rough and had a bogey on the Adare Manor course. The last Irishman to capture the championship was John O'Leary in 1982.
Harrington had a three-stroke lead going into the round and shot a 1-under 71 to finish at 5-under 283, but Dredge had four birdies on six holes on the back to nine to shoot a 68 that drew the Welshman even.
Harrington led by four strokes after an eagle on the 9th, but he bogeyed twice on the back nine without any birdies.
