Padraig Harrington, playing one of the best rounds of his life, defied strong gusting winds to complete a successful British Open title defense with a commanding four-shot victory on Sunday.

After dueling for supremacy with overnight leader Greg Norman on the front nine, Irishman Harrington broke clear of the pack with birdies on 13 and 15 to tighten his grip on the coveted Claret Jug.

In glorious late afternoon sunshine at Royal Birkdale, the 36-year-old struck a majestic second shot with a five-wood to just three feet at the par-5 17th, setting up an eagle to put the championship beyond the reach of his rivals.

Harrington, whose title defense was in doubt at the start of the event because of an injury to his right wrist, parred the last for a 1-under 69, a 3-over tally of 283 and his second major victory.

"I really felt good out there," a beaming Harrington told reporters after covering the back nine in a 4-under 32. "I hit the ball probably every bit as solid as I've ever hit it.

"Very few people have won back-to-back majors. Coming into this week I was trying to play that down, but winning a second one does set you apart. There are less people in that club.

"It was a fantastic experience coming down the 18th knowing I had won the Open," added the Dubliner, who will rise to a career-high third in the world rankings on Monday.

Britain's Ian Poulter, helped by three birdies in the last 10 holes, also signed off with a 69 to secure second place at 7 over, his best finish in golf's grand slam events.

Australian Norman, bidding to become the oldest major champion at 53, had to settle for a tie for third at 9 over after squandering a two-shot overnight lead and a one-stroke advantage with nine holes remaining.

The former world No 1 bogeyed his first three holes en route to a 77.

"Obviously I'm disappointed," said Norman. "That would be an understatement if I didn't say I was disappointed. But it was a tough day today.

"Padraig played great. Even though he tried to let it get away in the middle of the round he came back and performed beautifully and finished like a true Open champion."

Level with Norman was Swede Henrik Stenson (71).

With the wind gusting up to 72kph, Harrington took advantage of playing partner Norman's stumbling start to forge two clear after six holes.

The Irishman made his first bogey of the day at the par-3 seventh, where he pulled his tee shot into the gallery left of the green from where he failed to get up and down.

He also faltered at the eighth, missing a par putt from four feet, and the ninth, where he missed a 10-footer, to trail Norman by one.

However, Norman dropped his fifth shot of the round at the 10th to rejoin Harrington in a tie for the lead before they were joined by Poulter, who coaxed in a 15-foot birdie putt on 16.

Norman's bid for one of the most remarkable achievements in sport began to fade as he bogeyed 12 and 13 before Harrington again regained control.

The Irishman, who won last year's title at Carnoustie in a playoff with Sergio Garcia, struck a superb five-iron approach to 15 feet at the 13th and sank the putt to edge one ahead.

Another birdie followed at the par-5 15th where Harrington reached the fringe of the green in two and two-putted to double his lead, prompting a celebratory fist pump.

After parring 16, he eagled 17 with one of the best shots of the championship before signing off with a par at the last to emulate Tiger Woods, in 2006, with back-to-back Open titles.

(China Daily July 22, 2008)