Joint second in Volvo Masters wins Euro title for Irishman

ORDER OF MERIT WINNER HARRINGTON
IS NAMED GOLFER OF THE MONTH

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, who on Sunday was crowned European Tour Number One following his joint second place finish in the Volvo Masters, has been named the European Tour Golfer of the Month for October.
The 35-year-old Dubliner, pictured right, overhauled England’s Paul Casey to reach the summit of European professional golf with two outstanding performances during the month. First he won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship by five strokes at St Andrews, for his 10th European Tour title. He also won the Team event in partnership with JP McManus, repeating their double success of 2002.
Then, on Sunday, Harrington claimed the 30th second place of his career at the Volvo Masters, enabling him to collect the greatest prize of his life, the Harry Vardon Trophy, as winner of the European Tour Order of Merit for the first time.
Harrington, by virtue of a share of second place at Club de Golf Valderrama, won the Order of Merit with tournament earnings of £1,667,618, finishing £23,616 in front of Casey.
“This certainly means a lot to me,” said Harrington. “The Order of Merit is a good marker to success in a career. I have been 10 years as a professional and this shows how far I have come. I have been runner-up twice now and it is good to finally win it.”