Plucky Padraig pipped by Furyk

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JUST CHAMPION: Jim Furyk, of the United States, holed a six-foot eagle putt to lift the £350,000 first prize in Bermuda.

PADRAIG Harrington may have discovered the knack of winning major titles but the PGA Grand Slam is proving a different story.

For the second year running Harrington lost a play-off in Bermuda.

Twelve months after Angel Cabrera eagled the par-five 18th and then won at the third extra hole, Jim Furyk drew level with a closing birdie then sank a six-foot eagle putt when they went into sudden death.

The defeat again earned Harrington £180,000 rather than £350,000 and, having led by two with seven to play and by one on the final tee, he said: “Obviously I had a chance to win.

“It’s disappointing, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”

Furyk owed his place in the four-man line-up to the Irishman.

The event is designed for the season’s four major winners, but Tiger Woods’ injury let in Retief Goosen and Harrington’s Open-US PGA double meant another reserve was needed.

“I kind of treated the week like I had nothing to lose,” said the American.

“I don’t go on golf vacations, but it was a little like a golf vacation.

“I just stayed in a good frame of mind and didn’t let things bother me too much.

“Rarely do I go in just thinking about having fun – I’m usually all business and maybe it’s something to learn.”

The pair both had back-to-back 68s to finish the 36-hole tournament on four under. Goosen finished third and Masters champion Trevor Immelman fourth.