Harrington - Hurrion Interview (Fairways of Life)

August 17th, 2008 | Padraig Harrington

This is a recording of the interview set up with Dr Paul Hurrion for host Matt Adams which was aired on the PGA Tour Network Radio on August 16 and now sits on Matt’s own website, www.FairwaysofLife.com  The ’Fairways of Life’ radio show broadcasts every Saturday and Sunday, one hour before the LIVE coverage of the PGA Tour on the PGA Tour Network XM 146!

The Fairways of Life Show is a celebration of all-things golf! From luxury golf travel, the latest gear and equipment, the game’s great history, to it’s most compelling personalities, like Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Greg Norman, among others. The Fairways of Life Show understands that golf is more than just a game!

http://www.fairwaysoflife.com/media.asp  Harrington - Hurrion Interview  16th August 2008

The interview is by New York Times Best-selling author Matthew E. “Matt” Adams who has sold over 1,000,000 books, making him one of the most successful authors of the last five years. Matt Adams is an international golf media personality, appearing regularly on the Golf Channel, where he fills the role of both reporter and columnist, and he is the host of the Fairways of Life Show on the PGA Tour Network, which is beamed around the world via satellite.

___________________________________________

The following interview can also be found in written form on www.golf.com in which Gary Van Sickle (Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated Magazine)

Gary Van Sickle, a senior writer for Sports Illustrated, joined the staff in 1996 and covers golf for the magazine and its Golf Plus section. He was a sportswriter and columnist at The Milwaukee Journal for 13 years, covering a variety of sports. Van Sickle was born in Midland, Mich., graduated from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) with a journalism degree and currently resides in Wexford, Pa., just outside Pittsburgh. He’s a scratch handicap (more or less, depending upon the size of the bet), and advanced through local U.S. Open qualifying in 1996 and played in sectional qualifying with Tour players Larry Mize and Tom Purtzer, just missing a spot in the Open by a scant 17 shots.

Team Harrington fills vital support roles for golf hero

August 12th, 2008 | Padraig Harrington

Padraig Harrington is now on Tiger’s tail and that’s because of the appliance of science.

In 12 years as a Tour pro, Harrington has shown an insatiable desire to improve year on year. Every time he decided something was lacking, Harrington sought out a specialist in that area and then his renowned work ethic kicked in.

Now, thanks to his team of experts, he displays physical, mental and technical skills that mean the sky is the limit for his golfing future.

So who are the members of Team Harrington, and what part did they play in his stunning victories in the Open and the US PGA Championships?

Bob Torrance: The coach Torrance, now 75, has overseen the development of his player’s technique to the point where Harrington is now the biggest rival to Tiger Woods’ golfing supremacy. Torrance loves golfers who are prepared to work long hours to chase perfection, and in Harrington he found a soulmate.

“You’ll never achieve perfection, but you’ve got to keep trying to get it,” says Torrance.

They have been together since 1997.

Ronan Flood: Already a good friend and a scratch golfer before he took on the job of carrying the bag in 2004, Flood is now Harrington’s brother-in-law, and has played a key role in helping the player maintain his equilibrium in the white heat of Carnoustie, Royal Birkdale, and Oakland Hills.

Dr Bob Rotella: An internationally-renowned Sports Psychologist whose brand of mind mastery in relation to golf developed Harrington’s already formidable mental prowess from 2002 onwards.

Dr Paul Hurrion: A leading international Biomechanist, he has specialised in developing research and analysis of putting. He uses hi-tech cameras and computer software to assist golfers in learning the ultimate techniques in relation to putting.

Dr Liam Hennessy: An expert in Sports Physiology. Apart from the years of developing the blend of strength, stamina and suppleness in Harrington’s body, he has designed programmes to guard against injury and optimise the player’s food and drink intake on and off the course. He paid his way big time at Oakland Hills when he spotted that Harrington wasn’t taking enough fluids on board during the first two rounds. Once the hydration problem was sorted out, Harrington’s focus improved dramatically.

Adrian Mitchell: Has been Harrington’s manager since the golfer signed to the International Management Group in 1995. Business has been good for both parties as Harrington’s earnings soar in excess of €30m.

Dr Dale Richardson: A doctor of chiropractic medicine, Richardson was crucial to keeping Harrington going despite a neck disc problem at Carnoustie and a wrist injury at Birkdale.

Family: Wife Caroline has been invaluable to Padraig’s success, and sons Paddy and Ciaran are a great source of delight to the Champion. His mother Breda and the other members of the Harrington, Gregan and Flood clans are an integral element of Harrington’s support base.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/

Padraig crowned USPGA Champion!

August 11th, 2008 | Padraig Harrington

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington has clinched his second major title in the space of three weeks after storming to victory at the USPGA Championship last night - his third in 13 months!

The Dubliner carded a four-under-par final-round 66 at Oakland Hills in Detroit to secure a two-shot victory over Spain’s Sergio Garcia and American Ben Curtis. He sealed the win with a 15-foot putt on the final hole. Harrington is first European to win the championship since 1930.

One good Sunday delivered as Padraig shoots consecutive 66’s to deliver his third Major in thirteen months and in the process break all sorts of records for a European Tour player.

Padraig is the first European to win back to back Majors, the fourth person in history to win the Open and USPGA titles in one season and the first European to win the USPGA Championship since Tommy Armour in 1930.

A sparkling mornings work where he was up at the crack of dawn to complete his weather interrupted third round included four birdies in a row from the 13th to leave himself at one over par for the tournament and only three behind going into the afternoons final round. The golfing Gods decreed that he would play with an old sparring partner as Sergio Garcia and Charlie Wi made up the second last three ball of the day.

The Spanish prodigy threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Padraig as he opened up a three shot lead over Padraig going into the back nine but this is now Padraigs playground and he knew that if he hung around long enough he would get a chance to wrest the title from the would be pretenders to Major glory. A stunning 32 shots later ending with a 15 foot putt for the title on the 18th green broke all hearts.

The famed Claret Jug now has the Wannamaker trophy for company on Padraigs kitchen table…

Congratulations Padraig from all at Quintic…

Padraig Harrington wins the 137th Open Championship!

July 24th, 2008 | Full Swing Biomechanics, Padraig Harrington, Putting Biomechanics

Padraig defends his Open Championship in style with a fine final round of one under par 69 to give him a four shot victory. He joins an exclusive club of multiple major winners, is the first European to defend his title in 102 years and is now ranked at number 3 in the world….

Six opening pars gave Padraig the start he needed in the last round of the Open and he never really looked back after that. Bogies on the 7th 8th and 9th gave him some work to do but he finished in style with birdies on the 13th and 15th before the shot of the day at the par five 17th where he hit his second shot close to make an eagle three and give himself a four shot lead down the last. Speaking afterwards he said it was very satisfying to be out in the last group in a major and to perform under pressure. He leaps to number three in the world rankings and is number one on the Ryder Cup team going to Valhalla in September…

Congratulations Padraig from all at Quintic.

With this win Padraig Harrington secured his 13th European Tour International Schedule victory in his 275th European Tour event. It was his second Major Championship victory in his 41st Major Championship appearance.

*His second Open Championship victory following his triumph in 2007. His second win came in his 12th Open Championship appearance.
*First player to successfully defend The Open Championship since Tiger Woods in 2005-2006.
*Becomes the 16th player to successfully defend The Open Championship title.
*Becomes the first European to successfully defend The Open Championship since James Braid in 1905-1906.
*Becomes the 26th different player to record multiple victories in The Open Championship.
*Becomes only the second European Tour Member to successfully defend a Major Championship, following Nick Faldo at the 1989-1990 Masters Tournament.
*Becomes the 31st different player to successfully defend a Major Championship.
*Becomes the first player to successfully defend a European Tour title since Tiger Woods at the 2006-07 US PGA Championship.
*First time he has successfully defended a European Tour title in his career.
*The 51st occasion a European Tour event has been successfully defended.
*The 28th different player in European Tour history to successfully defend a title.
*The third Irish victory in a Major Championship, following his win in 2007 and Fred Daly in the 1947 Open Championship.
*His fourth top ten finish in The Open Championship from his 12 appearances – and 11th overall top ten from his Major Championship career.
*His victory becomes the 34th Major Championship victory since 1979 by a European Tour Member.
*Becomes the ninth different European Tour Member to win a Major Championship since 1979.
*The sixth Irish victory of The 2008 European Tour International Schedule. The most in a single European Tour season, beating the five of 1989. They are: Graeme McDowell (Ballantine’s Championship and The Barclays Scottish Open), Damien McGrane (Volvo China Open), Darren Clarke (BMW Asian Open), Peter Lawrie Open de España) and Padraig Harrington (The 137th Open Championship).
*Moves to fourth in the European Tour Order of Merit with €1,438,076 from 29th.
*Moves to the top of The Ryder Cup World Points List with 238.64
*Second victory of 2008 following the Ladbrokes Irish PGA Championship last week.
*Third consecutive European Tour season with a victory.
*Moves to a career-high of third in the Official World Golf Ranking.
*Gains a five year exemption into The Masters Tournament, the US Open Championship and USPGA Championship.
*Gains a place in the 2008 PGA Grand Slam of Golf
*Gains a place in the 2008 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational
*Gains a place in the 2009 HSBC Champions
*Extends his European Tour exemption until the end of 2018.
*Moves over €18 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings – just the fourth player to achieve the feat
*The 44th Irish victory on The European Tour.
*Third top ten finish of the 2008 season and 95th of his European Tour career
*His 23rd win as a professional.

HI-TEC Powers Padraig to Major victory AGAIN!

July 23rd, 2008 | Full Swing Biomechanics, Padraig Harrington

“It’s no coincidence that I was wearing the world’s best golf shoes in winning back-to-back Open Championships. In some of the most testing conditions ever, HI-TEC’s CDT technology gave me amazing balance and stability“.

Padraig Harrington Open Champion 2007 & 2008

Harrington pays tribute to Torrance the ‘genius’

July 22nd, 2008 | Padraig Harrington

Padraig Harrington, the two-time Open champion, yesterday hailed Bob Torrance, his swing coach, as “a genius” and the best teacher of the game to be found anywhere in the world of golf.

Ten years after the men first met on the range at Loch Lomond, the partnership between the tireless Irishman and the shrewd Scot has helped to mould the first European golfer to win more than one major title since Jose Maria Olazabal. Long renowned in his amateur days as an outstanding chipper and putter, Harrington was smart enough to work out after turning pro that he needed to overhaul his swing if he wanted to improve.

In perhaps the most successful swing re-design on this side of the Atlantic since Nick Faldo had his action taken apart by David Leadbetter, Harrington paid tribute to the 75-year-old Scot for turning him into one of the game’s best ball strikers of the past decade.
“Bob is the best swing coach in the world,” Harrington, 36, insisted at Birkdale the morning after he’d become the first European player in 102 years to successfully defend the Open title.

“You can see his genius in the way he can analyse any swing. He’s spent his whole life examining the golf swing and his knowledge of cause and effect is just incredible.”

Harrington also works with Dr Paul Hurrion, the biomechanics expert, who confirmed that everything Torrance sees naturally “with his own eye and his genius” is backed up by computer analysis and scientific evidence.

By Mike Aitken
http://www.scottishgolfview.com/2008/07/harrington-pays-tribute-to-torrance.html

Rocket Science for everyone!

June 12th, 2008 | PGA European Tour Golfers, Padraig Harrington, Putting Biomechanics, Quintic Video Software

Arnold Palmer has recently been credited with being the single most important sporting icon to begin the transformation of golf into the ‘game for everyone’. A generation before marketing became a byword for charlatanism with testosterone, Palmer’s looks, undoubted athletic prowess and his charisma made him much more ‘bankable’ than any other golf professional of his age. But here’s an interesting thing… Recently re-produced photos of Arnie in his heyday show the young dragon pouting strangely. This was mentioned in passing to John Lewis from Bay Hill by Palmer UK & Ireland, who explained that it’s because the young Palmer smoked like a chimney, but modern custom forbids this and so the Lucky Strikes have been airbrushed out but the facial expression of the habitual smoker remains. It’s representative of how sport has turned against nicotine and related sybaritic pleasures - many would have thought that golf didn’t really number among the sports where selfdenial and discipline were that evident.

At the Open in 1976, Johnny Miller walked away with the champion’s purse of £7500,having beaten Jack Nicklaus in to second place by 6 strokes. And the biggest attraction on the Royal Birkdale ground was the Guinness Tent, says an observer of the time. Golf was slightly rarefied, slightly Bertie Wooster, slightly… well… naff. Then Tiger Woods happened. With his shameless athleticism and firebrand physicality he has 60 PGA victories and 13 majors and will surely go on to break the Jack Nicklaus record of 18 majors … ‘did him no good at The Open, mind you. Padraig Harrington didn’t gain possession of the Claret Jug at The Open using a metal detector. His training regime is strict, well-researched, rigorously executed. And what’s behind it all?

Biomechanics…

When kids go to school today, if they’re taught physical education by a recent graduate of any decent training college, biomechanics will have been written large in the syllabus of what physical education teachers have to master. For those of us who aren’t aware of the term Sports Biomechanics uses the scientific methods of mechanics to study the effects of various forces on the sports performer. It is concerned, in particular, with the forces that act on the human neuromusculoskeletal system; velocities, accelerations, torque, momentum, inertia… It also considers aspects of the behaviour of sports implements, footwear and surfaces where these affect athletic performance and injury prevention.

Harrington has mastered this concept, because as an athlete his in depth knowledge of how his body works in golf competitions allows him to monitor his performance in fine detail, accentuate positive and eliminate negative aspects, as well as avoid strain or injury. Dr Paul Hurrion is a doctor of biomechanics, and consults regularly with Padraig, as well as with the likes of Paul McGinley, David Howell, Philip Archer, and Lee Westwood. During interviews with the press at the Scottish Open, much was made of Westwood’s recent visit to a putting lab to sort out his erratic performance on the greens.

“The laboratory is a room with a hard floor, green carpet, cameras all over the room and mirrors – it’s a bit kinky really,”
Lee Westwood

It’s quite an accurate description of ‘The Quintic Putting Lab’ in the centre of England
where Dr Paul Hurrion is based. It would also describe the set up Padraig Harrington has at his home in Dublin; a faithful replica of the lab at Quintic.

“Quintic Performance Analysis Software provides com-prehensive, easy to use, tools that allow me to analyse my full swing, chipping and putting in fine detail, whether I’m on the practice range, indoors or away on Tour,” explains Padraig. “I am able to synchronise and compare my swing action and tempo immediately, whilst the use of the drawing tools enables me to calculate the speed and acceleration of my club and arms.”

This science is what is making the single most meaningful contribution to sport in our time…

To read the complete article please click here download the PDF document
Hurrion - Golf Ireland.pdf

2007 Champion Golfer, Dr Paul Hurrion & the Claret Jug!

November 5th, 2007 | Full Swing Biomechanics, Padraig Harrington

padraig-paul-jug-website.jpg

Padraig Harrington - 2007 Champion Golfer

Carnoustie Open Winner Praises Advances in Sport Science Golf Technology

August 20th, 2007 | Padraig Harrington, Putting Biomechanics, Quintic Video Software

At the 136th Open Golf Championship held at Carnoustie, Scotland in July, the winner Padraig Harrington was generous in acknowledging the value of the application of new technology by University of Chichester graduate, Dr Paul Hurrion to his game performance.Paul Hurrion, who comes from Warwickshire, began his undergraduate studies at the University of Chichester in 1990 and after successfully gaining his BSc in 1993 he continued with postgraduate study under the supervision of Biomechanist Dr Rosemary Dyson and the now Professor Emeritus of Sport Science Tudor Hale.

During this time Paul was often to be seen playing at Goodwood golf course and reached a 2 handicap.

On completion of his PhD thesis Paul was awarded his doctorate degree in biomechanics analysis of sport. He developed and applied his integrated knowledge of golf and biomechanics when given the opportunity to coach golf in Dubai for about a year before his graduation in 1997.

The experience in Dubai acted as a spur to his efforts to develop coaching tools using a high technology approach utilising the advances in rapid data processing and the miniaturisation of solid-state high speed cameras and computer technology.

Commercialisation of the developments of his company Quintic (www.quintic.com) resulted in the sport science products being used worldwide to record and analyse sport performance in coaching and competition applications.

Dr Paul Hurrion is now a leading international Biomechanist and his advice has helped many golf tour professionals and teaching professionals to understand and modify their ‘putting’ action to the benefit of their own scores and/or their teaching abilities.

Paul’s expertise in golf has been acknowledged with membership of the Advisory Board for Biomechanics at the elite Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) in San Diego, USA.

He also maintains an ongoing relationship with the Biomechanics Department of the University of Chichester through various research and consultancy projects.

“If you take your putting seriously then a visit to the Quintic Putting laboratory is a must. Dr Paul Hurrion’s biomechanical and hi-tech approach to this ‘game within a game’ is unique…The use of the lab’s camera, computer and analysis software, together with Paul’s knowledge, will demonstrate to you things the human eye misses…” Padraig Harrington

 Article: Chichester Observer 20/08/07 & University of Chichester Website: http://www.chiuni.ac.uk/services/news/newsarticle.cfm?articleId=729

Play-off king Padraig wins The Open Championship!

July 23rd, 2007 | Biomechanics Consultancy, Full Swing Biomechanics, PGA European Tour Golfers, Padraig Harrington, Putting Biomechanics

Congratulations Padraig… what a day!

Exciting to the point of gut-wrenching!!

A superb last round of four under par 67 took Padraig into a play-off with Sergio Garcia for the Open Championship. Four birdies and an eagle three left him one shot ahead playing the fearsome 18th hole, but two visits to the water seemed to have put paid to his chances of winning a first major. But in a dramatic finish Garcia lipped out for par and a four hole play-off ensued. Like a man spared the death penalty, Padraig played superb golf to leave himself with a four foot putt for the title. He holed it, (straight in the middle) to become the first Irishman to win the title in sixty years…

Harrington’s victory, his first Major Championship success in his 37th attempt, saw him become the first European born player to win The Open Championship since Scotland’s Paul Lawrie triumphed at Carnoustie in 1999 and only the second Irishman in history to lift the Claret Jug following Fred Daly’s triumph at Royal Liverpool in 1947.

The 35 year old Dubliner picked up the first prize of €1,106,617 (£750,000) to move top of The European Tour Order of Merit – where he ended last season – and up to sixth on the Official World Golf Ranking, his highest ever placement.

“I think it will take a long time to settle in what I have achieved today,” he said. “The emotion of it, I couldn’t believe it. I know it was only a short putt to win in the end but as it was rolling into the middle of the hole I’m thinking, I’m the Open Champion! It was amazing, incredible to see that putt drop.”

“Always my goal was to win more than one Major and if I crossed the threshold and won one, as I have done now, I always want to win more. I’m going to celebrate like it’s the pinnacle of my career but I’ve got other goals to move on with now. I’m certainly going to enjoy this one though now, and for the foreseeable future. Forever actually.”

There’s no substitute for building a solid putting stroke that won’t break down under pressure and I can’t imagine any more pressure than Padraig was under several times late on Sunday. To be mentioned in his speech, I am very proud of what he has done & achieved, all those hours upon hours, late nights, hitting balls beyond midnight have all paid off, congratulations once again.

First of many Padraig !?!

*His 12th European Tour International Schedule victory in his 260th European Tour event as a professional.

*His first Major Championship victory in his 37th Major Championship appearance.

*Becomes the first European-born player to win a Major Championship since Paul Lawrie at The 1999 Open Championship also at Carnoustie – a gap of 31 Major Championships.

*This victory beats his best previous Major Championship performances of fifth in the US Open Championship in 2006 and tied fifth in the 1997 Open Championship, 2000 US Open Championship, 2002 Masters Tournament, and 2002 Open Championship.

*Wins The Open Championship in his 11th appearance.

*Third consecutive first-time Major Champion, following Zach Johnson (Masters Tournament) and Angel Cabrera (US Open Championship). First time this has occurred since Phil Mickelson (2004 Masters Tournament), Shaun Micheel (2003 US PGA Championship) and Ben Curtis (2003 The Open Championship).

*Second victory on The 2007 European Tour International Schedule, following the Irish Open.

*Third victory of 2007, following the Irish Open and Irish PGA Championship last week.

*Fourth time in his European Tour career he has recorded multiple victories in the same season.

*Gains an exemption into The Open Championship until the age of 65.

*Gains a five year exemption into The Masters Tournament, the US Open Championship and USPGA Championship.

*Gains a place in the 2007 PGA Grand Slam of Golf, joining Johnson and Cabrera.

*Gains a place in the 2007 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational and HSBC World Match Play Championship.

*Gains a place in the 2008 HSBC Champions.

*Extends his European Tour exemption until the end of 2017.

padraigjug1.jpg



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