The secret life of Irish golf sensation Padraig Harrington

Irish golfer is a role model on and off the course

If there is a finer gentleman than golfer Padraig Harrington in world sport, he will be hard to find.

The Irish golfer, a three time major winner, attended the Monday night Wall Street 50 event of our sister publication Irish America magazine.

He was a huge hit with the 300 or so Wall Street honchos who turned up at the New York Yacht Club to honor him and Bank of America number two Brian Moynihan.

Anyone who doubted the decency of Harrington needed to be present at the New York Yacht club at about 11 p.m.

Most of the guests had departed, but Harrington stayed on signing programs and autographs for the staff who poured out of the kitchens to get their photograph taken with the sports star, and autographed copies of the magazine.

No task was too small for him, and some of the waiters and kitchen help spoke poor English. Harrington was infinitely patient, inscribing copies of the magazine to their loved ones.

It was the act of a true gentleman who has never forgotten where he came from and how important it is to represent himself and his sport to the best of his ability.

It was an endearing sight -- one I can only remember happening once before when President Bill Clinton was guest of honor at an event at Fitzpatrick’s Hotel in New York, and like last Monday the kitchen staff streamed out to get their photographs taken with the president.

Harrington showed the same unbelievable patience and goodwill towards everyone. Outside, Harrington’s driver had waited for over 90 minutes for his famous passenger.

Harrington, however, was not going to deny anyone their last chance at an autograph or personal photograph and stayed until the last signing was done.

Along with Bono, Harrington is probably the best-known Irishman in the world. In both men, Ireland truly has great representatives on the world stage.

Harrington on: Tiger, Nerves

So what is it like to be walking up the 18th green in a major championship beside Tiger Woods and the whole world watching? 

Harrington says it does not faze him at all -- and one can well believe it.

He says if he has made all his mental preparations and believes he is about to do the best he can do then he will not feel any pressure whatsoever.

If, however, he has found himself short on preparation and unable to feel 100%, he says that is when his game comes apart.

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Nster.com