Harrington thrilled at second win as Norman hails him true champion

The Open / Maxliu / 21 July 2008 /

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Champion for the second successive year will take confidence from win as he aims for even greater honours.

Padraig Harrington says he is thrilled to have won the Open for the second consecutive year and that this year's triumph has filled him with confidence.

Harrington, who was backed at a top price of [150.0], retained the claret jug after coming in three over-par to win by four shots from Ian Poulter.

He said: " Winning the Open last year was very exciting. This year it is more satisfying. The way I performed today, and gave myself a great cushion down the last, is something I will look back at and probably draw more confidence from than last year."

Hear more from the champion here.

Harrington was paired for the final round with two time Open champion Greg Norman. The 53-year-old Australian was the surprise name at the top of the leader board going into the final round and, although finished eight over for the championship, Royal Birkdale marked an excellent weekend for him.

He said: "It would be an understatement to say I am dissappointed. The conditions were tough today but I thought I got off to a good start."

Norman, backed at [190.0] for a top-five finish, paid tribute to Harrington, saying: "Padraig played brilliantly. He performed beautifully and finished like a true Open Champion."

Hear the rest of the interview with Greg Norman here.

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