A blustery Royal Birkdale finally witnessed a European winner when defending Open Champion Padraig Harrington used all of his knowledge of links golf to make it two-in-a-row in 2008.

Unlike the previous year at Carnoustie when the Irishman had to endure a nerve shredding play-off against Sergio Garcia to get his hands on the Claret Jug, this time he had the luxury of enjoying the walk up the 18th after a sensational 5-wood from 249 yards set up an eagle on the 17th to help him to a four-stroke victory over England’s Ian Poulter.

“I’m holding on to this,” he said clutching the trophy. “I had a great year as Open Champion, so much so I didn’t want to give it back.”

#TheOpen was last played at Royal Birkdale in 2008. Paddy Harrington won his 2nd straight Open title and Tiger missed his 1st major as a pro

— Rodd Baxley (@RoddBaxley) July 19, 2017

Another links maestro in the shape of 53 year old Greg Norman looked like he might pull off the unthinkable when he shot 72 in gale-force winds in the third round to take a two-stroke lead into the final day. alas, he faltered with eight bogeys en-route to a closing 77 but still finished a highly impressive share of third place with Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.