Padraig Harrington joins LPGA founders in World Golf Hall of Fame Class of ’24
By Matt Chivers
Padraig Harrington has been “humbled” by his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame – becoming just the third Irishman to join the elite list of legends.
Alongside Harrington in the class of 2024 is 1973 Open champion Tom Weiskopf, Sandra Palmer, Johnny Farrell, Beverly Hanson, and the seven remaining founders of the LPGA.
The 51-year-old has found a new lease of life on the PGA Tour Champions, but his achievements on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour place him as one of Europe’s most successful players of recent years.
“I’m very proud to be included with the players before me,” said Harrington. “This is very exciting, obviously a huge honour. It’s somewhat humbling.
“At this stage of my life, it gives me some validation of what I’ve done in golf. (It) brings back a flood of memories. This is a deep-down satisfaction.
“Seeing your name beside the names that I’ve looked up to as a boy and young golfer, it’s very nice.
“Everybody on the ballot deserves to be there. It’s unfortunate that everyone can’t be in, but it’s great to be included in the Class of 2024.”
Harrington burst onto the scene in 1996 by winning the Spanish Open. He made his debut at the Ryder Cup three years later and went on to represent Europe six times.
He won back-to-back Open Championships in 2007 and 2008 and also bagged the PGA Championship during what was a rampant period for the Dubliner.
Harrington captained Europe at the 2021 Ryder Cup, but his blue and white side fell victim to an unstoppable American team that won by a record margin at Whistling Straits.
Nonetheless, the six-time PGA Tour winner will join Joe Carr and Christy O’Connor Snr as players from his home country to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
He will be officially inducted at next year’s US Open at Pinehurst in North Carolina, corresponding with the Hall of Fame Museum opening on the USGA’s Golf House campus.
A total of 18 finalists were shortlisted for consideration to join Harrington, but among those not chosen were former US Open champion Jim Furyk and legendary coach Butch Harmon.
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
