Of all the people who I thought wouldn’t back down from Tiger Woods, Paddy Harrington would have been way down on my list, even though he’s had a great year.

But, it was the little Irishman who rallied to beat El Tigre at the Dunlop Phoenix on Sunday, in a playoff no less.

Woods protects leads like a mama bear protects its cubs, having lost only once, but he folded to Harrington on Sunday, playing conservatively with a three-stroke lead down the stretch, then blowing a birdie putt that would have extended the playoff.

Harrington’s miraculous shot between tree limbs left him in position for a beautiful wedge on the second playoff hole, converting the tap-in.

“I definitely got lucky, but sometimes fortune favors the brave,” Harrington told reporters afterward.

I’ve got another one: “Luck is the residue of design.”

Maybe this will embolden other players against the Great One.

Permalink 1 comment