Padraig Harrington will add to his incredible legacy in golf when he is officialy inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame at the US Open at Pinehurst next week.
A three-time major champion, Harrington was arguably the best player on the planet when he won The Open in 2007 before retaining it in 2008 while adding the PGA Championship to his haul.
Harrington, 52, has racked up wins both on the PGA Tour and in Europe throughout his career, landing top 10 finishes on both Tours as recent as last season.
The veteran plays most of his golf on the senior tour these days, where he has been a top contender already winning a major championship - The US Senior Open - among his seven titles.
Nobody has retained The Open since he did it 16 years ago, while he remains a contender to surpass Miguel Angel Jimenez's record as the oldest winner in DP World Tour history.
His impending Hall of Fame induction is well earned.
Léigh an scéal seo trí Ghaeilge ar Liathróidí.ie brúigh anseo.
Lowry and McIlroy pay glowing tributes to Padraig Harrington
A popular figure in the sport, there has been no shortage of tributes with Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy paying homage to their senior counterpart.
Lowry and Harrington have a particularly close friendship, memorably finishing in the top five of the PGA Championship alongside one another three years ago.
Lowry has regularly waxed lyrical about his fellow Irishman and in his latest tribute hailed his friend as one of his idols growing up.
He was one of my golfing idols growing up he has got the career that deserves it," he said.
"There is probably not many better golf ambassadors out there than Padraig Harrington.
"For the game alone he has been great and he has been great in Ireland and we are very grateful to have him."
McIlroy is the only Irishman to have surpassed Harrington's tally of three major titles and the respect between the pair is evidently healthy.
The County Down native shared his view that Harrington really led the charge to put Irish golf where it is right now.
He really kickstarted this whole Irish golf movement," McIlroy added.
"Padraig was the one that made us all believe we could do it.
"He is the ultimate pro. He has hit way more balls than I have in my life and we will never catch up to him."
Elsewhere, LIV Golf rebel and six-time major winner Phil Mickelson showed respect to his fellow veteran in a post on social media.
'That is awesome and so well deserved," he wrote.
"Congratulations Padraig on your spectacular career!
That is awesome and so well deserved. Congrats Padraig on your spectacular career!
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) June 4, 2024
Classy sentiments from Mickelson it must be said.
Further tributes to the Rathfarnham man are sure to flood in when he is officialy inducted on June 10.
