Despite Being the Oldest Chap at the 2023 Open Championship, Padraig Harrington Shatters the Limits of Old Age — “It’s All Mental”

In a thought-provoking conversation ahead of the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, Pádraig Harrington, renowned golfer and two-time Claret Jug winner, stresses the pivotal role of the mental game in his pursuit of a historic third championship title. 

As he eyes the possibility of becoming the oldest major championship winner at the age of 51, Harrington shatters the limits of old age and emphasizes some key elements that can help one triumph under pressure. Let’s explore more about his nuggets of advice to win on the golf course.

Padraig Harrington addresses the mental side of the game

Harrington, a veteran in the world of golf, asserts that at the highest level of competition, physical prowess alone is not enough to secure victory. He says it’s rather mental fortitude and self-belief that can help one stand out.

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“It’s all mental. At our level when you get to this stage, there would be very few here, nobody is not physically capable of playing golf good enough to win, but many of them aren’t mentally capable of being good enough to win,” explained the 51-year-old Harrington.

From his experience, the veteran golfer shared that trusting and going by one’s own way and being comfortable in their own skin is crucial. The 2007 and 2008 Open champion added that if one aims to win through their A-Game, B-Game will eventually turn up and vice versa, indicating that every performance counts.

Can Harrington outperform young players?

Looking back at his previous performances, Harrington reflects on the changes in the game. He acknowledges that the physical aspects may appear better than they were in his prime years of 2007 and 2008, thanks to advancements in equipment and technology.

However, he states that the competition has also evolved, making it a different playing field altogether. He compares his recent performances to his own previous standards and aspires to become a better version of himself. Despite his old age, Harrington says he can still go out and emerge victorious any week against young pro players.

The Irishman, who finished the final round of the Genesis Scottish Open with a score of +4, aims to push himself in the final major of the year that starts Thursday. As Harrington prepares to compete for his third Claret Jug, his words offer valuable lessons to aspiring golfers and sports enthusiasts.

The mental game and self-belief are powerful factors in achieving success. Will Harrington’s renewed spirit and humble approach help him overcome the challenges and beat back Father Time? Only time will reveal the answer.

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