Harrington feels 'validation' at World Golf Hall of Fame induction

Pádraig Harrington said he felt a “deep sense of satisfaction and validation” at being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

The Irishman, a three-time Major Champion, joined 19-time LPGA winner Sandra Palmer at the ceremony, which took place at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in North Carolina on Monday.

LPGA legend Beverly Hanson, former Open champion and golf course architect Tom Weiskopf and former U.S. Open champion Johnny Farrell were inducted posthumously. Also being inducted were the remaining seven founders of the LPGA – Alice Bauer, Bettye Danoff, Helen Dettweiler, Helen Hicks, Opal Hill, Sally Sessions and Shirley Spork. The other six founders previous were inducted on their own.

"Emotionally it brings me a deep sense of satisfaction and validation to be inducted into the hall of fame," Harrington said in his acceptance speech.

Harrington, 52, won back-to-back Open Championships as well as adding the US PGA Championship during a brilliant 13-month spell in 2007 and 2008.

He has featured on four winning Ryder Cup teams in six playing appearances and captained the European team at Whistling Straits in 2021.

"As a player you get inducted into the hall of fame based on your golf results,” added Harrington who was introduced to the stage by his son Paddy.

“So yes, I won three majors, numerous events around the world, I played six Ryder Cups, and that's what gets you in the hall of fame. But there is a story behind it. So, what's my story?

"Firstly, I'm not sure whether I loved the game, or the game loved me because it was truly great to me.

"I loved the fact it was never meant to be a fair game. It was always meant to be a test of skill and mental fortitude. I loved the rules; I loved the etiquette; I loved the competition.

“Probably ultimately, I loved the meritocracy of it, that you're out there on your own, no one else decides your fate, and it's up to you to get it done."

Harrington was crowned European Number One in 2005, while he was voted Golfer of the Year in 2007 and 2008 and was recognised with the same honour on the PGA TOUR in 2008.

He boasts 15 DP World Tour wins among his 39 worldwide titles and landed his first senior Major success at the U.S. Senior Open in 2022.

Harrington is the third Irishman to join the World Golf Hall of Fame, after amateur Joe Carr and Christy O'Connor Snr.

His countryman and fellow Major champion Shane Lowry was among those in attendance at the ceremony ahead of this week's U.S. Open.