HARRINGTON DENIED FOURTH DICK'S OPEN AS PRIDE WINS PLAYOFF
Italy’s Francesco Molinari named as Luke Donald’s second vice captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Limerick, in 2027. (Photo: DP World Tour/Getty)
Pádraig Harrington's bid for a remarkable fourth Dick's Open title ended in heartbreaking fashion after American Dicky Pride edged the Dubliner in a sudden-death playoff at En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott, New York.
Harrington, who had won the tournament in 2022, 2023 and 2024 before skipping last year's event, looked well placed to continue his outstanding record after taking a one-shot lead into the final round. However, Pride fired a superb seven-under-par 65 to draw level at 18-under-par before sealing victory with a par on the opening playoff hole after Harrington made bogey.
The defeat was a bitter blow for Harrington, who had played consistently throughout the week and appeared poised to add another PGA Tour Champions title to his impressive collection.
Pride, whose victory was his first on the senior circuit since 2021, admitted the tournament's title made the triumph even sweeter.
"Well, fortunately they've named the tournament after me already. It's the Dick's Open, so I should win it, right?" Pride joked after lifting the trophy.
The American later acknowledged how difficult it had been to overcome one of the Champions Tour's most consistent performers.
Both players completed regulation tied on 198, two shots clear of Matt Gogel, who finished alone in third after another excellent closing round. J.J. Henry claimed fourth place following a final-round 65. Harrington shot rounds of 65, 67, 66 to Pride’s 63, 70, 65.
Harrington's runner-up finish nevertheless continued another productive week for the three-time major champion, who has remained one of the leading figures on the PGA Tour Champions since turning 50.
There was also encouragement from an Irish perspective elsewhere on the leaderboard. Darren Clarke produced another steady performance to finish on 12-under-par, securing a share of 10th place after rounds of 69, 67 and 68. Clarke once again demonstrated the consistency that has kept him competitive throughout the Champions Tour season.
Although Harrington will be disappointed to have narrowly missed out on another Dick's Open success, his form heading into the senior major season remains highly encouraging. He held the 54-hole lead and was only denied after a playoff against a resurgent Pride.