In a remarkable display of skill and longevity, Ireland’s Padraig Harrington secured the 2025 Senior Open Championship title at Sunningdale, becoming just the fifth golfer in history to win both The Open Championship and its senior counterpart.
Harrington, 53, carded a final round 67 to finish at 16 under par, three strokes clear of his closest competitors, Justin Leonard of the United States and Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn. The win adds another prestigious title to the Irishman’s impressive resume and further cements his legacy as one of the modern game’s most accomplished players.
With this latest victory, Harrington joins a rarefied group of golfing legends — Tom Watson, Gary Player, Bob Charles, and Darren Clarke — as the only men to have won both The Open and The Senior Open Championships. Harrington famously captured The Open title in consecutive years in 2007 and 2008, triumphing at Carnoustie and Royal Birkdale, respectively.
The Senior Open crown marks Harrington’s third major title on the senior circuit. He previously won the U.S. Senior Open in 2022 and repeated that success in June 2025. His consistent form on the senior tour this year has been nothing short of dominant, narrowly missing out on a fourth senior major title when he finished runner-up at the Senior PGA Championship in May, just one shot behind Argentina’s Angel Cabrera.
“This means a lot,” Harrington said following his win at Sunningdale. “To be mentioned alongside names like Watson, Player, and Clarke — that’s very special. It’s been a journey, and I’m still enjoying competing at the highest level.”
Throughout the four-day tournament, Harrington displayed a steady and strategic game, leveraging his vast experience and deft short game to outmaneuver the field. His performance on Sunday, which included five birdies and just one bogey, proved decisive in distancing himself from Leonard and Bjorn.
Leonard, a former Open Championship runner-up and Ryder Cup standout, mounted a strong challenge but couldn’t match Harrington’s composed finish. Bjorn, also a European Ryder Cup veteran, remained in the hunt until late in the final round but ultimately couldn’t close the gap.
Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke, the 2011 Open Champion and 2022 Senior Open winner, struggled to find momentum throughout the week and finished tied for 51st at two over par.
Sunningdale Golf Club, hosting its fifth Senior Open Championship, once again provided a classic links-style test for the world’s top over-50 players. The historic course in Berkshire, England, with its tight fairways, firm greens, and tricky bunkers, proved a fitting venue for a tournament steeped in tradition.
Harrington’s success on the senior tour follows a stellar career on the regular PGA and European Tours, during which he claimed six PGA Tour titles and 15 European Tour victories. Known for his meticulous preparation and relentless work ethic, Harrington remains one of the most respected figures in the game.
Now, with three senior majors under his belt and his name etched alongside some of golf’s greatest champions, Harrington’s continued success offers inspiration for the next generation of players and fans alike.
As for what’s next, Harrington remains focused but humble: “Every win is special. But I’m not done yet. As long as I’m healthy and enjoying it, I’ll keep competing.”
The golfing world will certainly be watching.
