A three-time major champion, European Ryder Cup captain, and Hall of Fame inductee, Padraig Harrington shares his technical advice in “Paddy’s Golf Tips.”.
Who is Padraig Harrington?
Padraig Harrington is an Irish professional golfer, born on August 31, 1971, in Dublin. He grew up on a golf course that he and his four brothers helped build. He studied accounting and first made a name for himself as an amateur, earning three Walker Cup selections. He turned pro in 1995.
He became the No. 1 player in Europe in 2006. He then enjoyed an exceptional run: he won the 2007 Open at Carnoustie after a playoff against Sergio Garcia, defended his title in 2008 at Royal Birkdale, and went on to win the 2008 U.S. PGA Championship at Oakland Hills. He is the first European to win two majors in a row. He reached No. 3 in the world rankings.
His career continued on the senior tour. He won the U.S. Senior Open in 2022, 2025, and 2026—a record he shares with Miller Barber—and the 2025 Senior Open at Sunningdale. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2024.
Padraig Harrington's List of Achievements
| Tournament or Record | Result |
|---|---|
| Major Tournaments | 3: 2007 Open (Carnoustie), 2008 Open (Royal Birkdale), 2008 U.S. PGA Championship (Oakland Hills) |
| Senior Adults | 4: 2022, 2025, and 2026 U.S. Senior Open; 2025 Senior Open (Sunningdale) |
| Wins on the DP World Tour | 15 |
| PGA Tour Victories | 6 |
| Wins on the PGA Tour Champions | 12 (November 2026) |
| No. 1 in Europe | 2006 |
| World Rankings | 3rd, a career-best finish |
| Ryder Cup (player) | 6 appearances: 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 (10.5 points) |
| Ryder Cup (captain) | Captain of Team Europe in 2021 at Whistling Straits |
| Ryder Cup (vice captain) | 2014, 2016, 2018, and nominated for 2027 at Adare Manor |
| Hall of Fame | Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2024 |
Padraig Harrington's Game
Padraig Harrington is known for his technical curiosity. He worked for many years with the renowned Scottish coach Bob Torrance, and he has never stopped striving to understand his swing. That perseverance led him to the majors and then to a very successful second career on the senior tour.
The Lean Shaft and Club Release
In “Paddy’s Golf Tips,” he explains that the static image of impact misleads many amateur golfers. In his view, a good impact is dynamic: by pulling the club upward and “slowing down” the hands at the right moment, you drive the clubhead toward the ball. The result: a more effective shot, with more speed, spin, and distance. Pushing your hands too far toward the target, on the other hand, causes you to lose speed.
An educator on YouTube
During the lockdown, Padraig Harrington began posting tips for amateur golfers on social media. He then launched his official YouTube channel, which had about 208,000 subscribers and around 100 videos as of November 2026. In his videos, he discusses grip, pre-shot routine, short game, putting, and swing speed, always explaining the reasoning behind each tip.
Padraig Harrington's Lessons on Best Golf Tips
His lesson on keeping the shaft upright at impact is currently being summarized, and more episodes of “Paddy’s Golf Tips” will follow. In the meantime, check out the best tips from the pros at irons and ball compression, the swing and the swing plane and the learning path strategy.
To learn more, check out the fact sheet on Justin Rose, his European teammate at the 2008 Ryder Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions About Padraig Harrington
How many major tournaments has Padraig Harrington won?
Three: the 2007 Open at Carnoustie, the 2008 Open at Royal Birkdale, and the 2008 U.S. PGA Championship at Oakland Hills.
Has Padraig Harrington ever been a Ryder Cup captain?
Yes. He served as captain of Team Europe in 2021 at Whistling Straits, after being selected six times as a player between 1999 and 2010. He will serve as vice-captain in 2027 at Adare Manor.
How old is Padraig Harrington?
He was born on August 31, 1971, in Dublin, Ireland. He will be 55 years old as of November 4, 2026.
What is “Paddy’s Golf Tips”?
A numbered series of golf tips that he posts on his official YouTube channel. In each video, he personally explains a technical point, such as shaft lean at impact.
