February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By John Manley
There was little glory to be had for anyone outside of Tiger Woods, who put on a clinic in the 100th U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in California. Despite Woods’s runaway victory Sunday, Padraig Harrington distinguished himself by sharing fifth place with Lee Westwood.
Harrington, who has come into his own in the last year, was five over par for the tournament at 289 (73-71-72-73). He finished 17 shots behind Woods, who 15-stroke victory was the largest winning margin in U.S. Open history. Harrington began the final round tied for third and teed off with Miguel Angel Jimenez in the group just before Woods and Ernie Els.
Harrington was quick with the birdies in the battle for second place, but some late miscues worked against him, and he came in two shots behind Els and Jimenez. John Huston snuck in for fourth money. For what it may be worth, Harrington was the only man on the course to birdie the 466-yard, par-4 ninth hole on Sunday. He earned $162,526 for four days of work, but even more than that, the respect of many Americans who may not have been familiar with him before the weekend began.
An 83 during Saturday’s third round hampered Darren Clarke. As high as the number was, it wasn’t out of line with those recorded by others of high esteem. His final score of 17-over 301 (71-75-83-72) tied him for 53rd place. His earnings amounted to $12,747.
Senior PGA Tour
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Christy O’Connor Jr. tied for 30th place in the SBC Championship at the Dominion Country Club in San Antonio. O’Connor shot an even par 216 (74-73-69) for 54 holes, which was good for $7,942. Doug Tewell had the winning score of 202.