Padraig Harrington wins third straight Irish PGA title

Padraig Harrington claimed the Irish PGA Championship for an incredible third straight time this weekend, with a 7-shot victory from nearest competitor Brian McElhinney.

It marks a timely return to form for the popular Irishman ahead of his defence of The Open Championship at Turnberry on Thursday. Prior to this even Harrington had missed the cut on five straight occasions.

If you haven't heard of the Irish PGA, it's because it isn't sanctioned by the European Tour - or indeed any tour. But being an Irishman, Harrington likes to use it to get ready for the British Open. Harrington has now won it six times.

"Obviously any time you tee it up in a tournament your want to win it. Whatever that tournament is it's always very pleasing to win. It's a nice feeling especially as I haven't been in that winner's enclosure for a little bit now so it's always nice to get a win in the bag,"

Winning it worked for the last two Opens - could it be a hat-trick of claret jugs too?

"Winning is a habit, there's no doubt about that. The more you win the better, regardless of where you are doing it. It's important to get out there and win. Yeah, it is important to win this week. The magnitude of the tournament is not as great as next week but winning is a habit and it's always good to be in winning form."

John Daly considering Euro Tour next year

One of our favourite golfers, big-hitting, heavy-drinking, elasticated-waist-pants-wearing anti-hero John Daly is considering joining the European tour now he's got his mojo back. Big John couldn't smash the ball as far as the old days because of a restricted swing movement caused by a cyst (the size of a golf ball apparently) limiting his famourly exaggerated backswing.

"I saw guys hitting it by me that never hit it by me before," he said. "I was like 'there's definitely something wrong here'."

Daly has had a dismal season this year, making just five cuts and earning $56,017 from 16 events - truly a fall from grace for a gifted golfer with a seeming will to self-destruct.

"There are a million opportunities to play in Europe and it's a great tour," Daly said.

"Guys on that tour have shown themselves to be great players."

You have to feel that it's too late, even for such a prodigious talent as Daly, to turn his career round and at least compete where he should be. Daly is clearly obese which can only compound the stresses such a dramatic golf swing will place on the joints.