Wife Caroline and sons Ciaran and Patrick (middle) shared champ's moment. Photo: David Cannon/getty images
When it was over, Harrington was proud to reveal his inner process. Essentially, he turned every potential negative into a positive. The right wrist he injured the week before the championship by swinging a driver into a training aid called an "impact bag" not only didn't hurt once play started but "was a saver for me, really," by distracting him from the pressure of being the defending champion and allowing him to save energy by playing only nine-hole practice rounds. He said the severe weather "forced me to play one shot at a time and stay with my own game. It definitely was a big help to me." The tough downhill lie he drew for his 5-wood second shot to the 17th in the final round was also a blessing. "I convinced myself, as you could when you're winning tournaments. I felt the downslope was a help to me," said Harrington. "I said, 'Well, this is great. I know its going to come out low so I can't get it in the air.' "
In summary, Harrington issued a zen-style conundrum that Rotella surely loved: "I never thought about the consequences of winning as much as I was convinced I was going to win."
Whatever, the bottom line is that Harrington is now one of only 16 repeaters in the 148-year history of the British Open. And afterward, the "Champion Golfer of the Year"—perhaps a bit jauntily but with an open smile—made it clear he wants more.
"I've always said it was great to win my first major. I never put it as an isolated event," said Harrington. "I felt I was going to win another one. It's come around a little quicker than I thought."
With justification, Harrington appears to have raised his opinion of himself. "Under-the-surface talent is far more important than what's on top," he said. "I got to sixth in the world before, and I wasn't comfortable there. But I'm more comfortable at third than I was at sixth."
Kaizen never sleeps.
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