Tiger Woods Was At the US PGA Championship After All

Is it me or do you think Padraig Harrington has been spending the past few months honing up his impersonating skills so that on the back nine of a major championship he can pretend he's Tiger Woods?

Harrington's performance in the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, followed by his tremendous victory in the US PGA on Sunday at Oakland Hills have not only cemented him firmly as the 3rd best player in the world (and arguably the second best on current form as Phil Mickleson is not quite on song at the moment), they have earned him at long last the respect he is due.

He is one hell of a tough and gritty competitor and on the back nine of the last 2 major championships he has behaved and performed in the manner that is more than a little bit reminiscent of a certain Tiger Woods.  The look on his face, the focus, the never say die attitude was awesome to watch for everyone, except poor Sergio.  He holed out so well when he needed to and the birdie on 17 was just fantastic.

Hats off to Padraig and to Sergio and Stenson too for providing us with some great European entertainment at last at the US PGA.

I have no doubt that Garcia and Stenson will both be major champions one day.  The big question on my mind is what will everyone be taking about in June 2009 when the next Major, the US Open at Bethpage State Park Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York is staged?  Will they be talking about Tiger's return and another certain victory? Or might everyone be talking about Harrington going for a third major back-to-back and a possible grand slam?

What do you think? Can Harrington do three in a row and beat Tiger next time out in a Major in 2009.  I think he might just do it. Tiger will be a little rusty and Harrington could take advantage for one last time.