HARRINGTON BUILDS ON HIS WILSON CLUB LEGACY WITH FOURTH MAJOR

BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 25: Padraig Harrington of Ireland plays a shot on the sixth hole during the third round of the U.S. Senior Open Championship at Saucon Valley Country Club on June 25, 2022 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Wilson, the club maker with more Major wins with its irons than any other brand, had a special reason to celebrate Padraig Harrington’s victory in the U.S. Senior Open Championship at Saucon Valley Country Club in Pennsylvania, yesterday.

It marked yet another Major triumph in the longest-running contractual relationship between the Chicago-based brand and its most successful Tour player of recent times, covering a modern-day record of 25 seasons of prize-winning association. By winning his first USGA title, Harrington took his professional wins tally to 32.

Having withstood pressure from his Ryder Cup rival Steve Sticker to take the U.S. Senior Open title in his debut, Harrington was clear about his intentions. “One of the reasons I’m on the PGA TOUR Champions is to win more Major titles and I feel that I have the game and clubs to do that,” he said after finishing -10 and winning by one stroke using Wilson Staff Model CB irons and Staff Model wedges.

Harrington first signed for Wilson in 1998 and has gone on to capture three Major trophies on the main Tour – Open Championships at Carnoustie in 2007 and Royal Birkdale in 2008, followed by the USPGA Championship at Oakland Hills in 2008 – as well as three PGA Tour titles.

“Padraig has been a great ambassador for Wilson and the success he’s enjoyed with our clubs over the past 25 seasons has been exceptional,” said Tim Clarke, President, Wilson Golf. “His iron play has always been outstanding, and he’s had input into all our new equipment.”

Harrington now has the chance to win two more major titles next month at The Senior Open Championship at Gleneagles, soon after his appearance at the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews. This week he competes at the Horizon Irish Open at Mount Juliet in Kilkenny, an event he won in 2007.

BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 24: Padraig Harrington of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the fifth hole during the second round of the U.S. Senior Open Championship at Saucon Valley Country Club on June 24, 2022 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Padraig joins legends of the game Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Lee Trevino in winning both The Open Championship and the U.S. Senior Open, as well as Colin Montgomerie, Roger Chapman and Bernhard Langer as international champions to hold the Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy, the oldest of the USGA trophies. Among those in the chasing pack were defending champion Jim Furyk, Ernie Els, Paul Broadhurst, Miguel Angel Jiménez, David Toms and Davis Love III.

In seven PGA Tour Champions events this season , Harrington has one win and three seconds, while leading the driving distance stats with an average of 299 yards.

Gene Sarazen was the first golfer to become a technical advisor to Wilson in 1922. That year, he won the first of his two US Open titles and went on to win five other Majors – three US PGA, an Open Championship and a Masters title. His endorsement contract with Wilson was the longest running of its kind in sports history, spanning 75 years.

For further information on all Wilson Staff products, including woods, irons, wedges, putters, balls and accessories, visit: www.wilson.com.

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As an avid golfer since the age of eleven Dan lives and breathes all things golf.  With a current handicap of eleven he gets out and plays as often as his work life (and girlfriend) allows. Dan confesses to still being like a kid at Christmas when it comes to seeing the latest golf equipment. Having served as GolfPunk’s Deputy Editor, and resident golf geek for the past 13 years and working for golf's oldest brand, John Letters Dan brings to GOLF RETAILING an excellent understanding of the sector.