Padraig Harrington Improbable Back-to-Back Wins Cripple Bookies

Irish bookmakers do not have Irish eyes a smiling' with the back-to-back wins from Ireland's native son, professional golfer Padraig Harrington.

Padraig Harrington was listed at 14/1 to win the USA PGA Golf Championship and did just that.

At press time it was not clear how much had been wagered on Harrington, though betting on the US PGA Championship was far less significant than that of the British Open which he was just weeks prior.

Harrington closed with a 4-under 66 at Oakland Hills for a two-shot victory over Garcia and Ben Curtis to become only the fourth player to win the British Open and the PGA Championship in the same year.

Along the way, he ended 78 years without a European winner at the PGA Championship. And to top it off, he became the first European ever to win consecutive majors.

"I obviously hold a lot of European players who I grew up watching in high esteem," Harrington said. "To believe that I achieved something they hadn't is very special."

He showed no regard for one of his own for the second straight year.

He joined Tiger Woods (2000 and 2006), Nick Price (1994) and Walter Hagen (1924) as the only players to win the PGA and British Open in the same year. Harrington had also won the British Open for a second consecutive year.

Padraig Harrington also put an end to the 78-year drought of European winners in the PGA Championship.

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Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com