Padraig Harrington’s telling comments after Rory McIlroy refused to follow in his footsteps

Padraig Harrington has won his second senior major of the year with a first Senior Open, as he discussed the significance of earning victories on the PGA Tour Champions

Padraig Harrington’s comments on achieving success on the PGA Tour Champions may see Rory McIlroy have a change of heart about competing on the tour in the future.

The Irishman captured the Senior Open for the first time on Sunday, just a month after winning the US Senior Open in June. The 53-year-old, who won three major titles during his time on the PGA Tour, has been a perennial victor on the Champions Tour with 11 wins to his name.

After his triumph at Sunningdale, where he finished with an impressive score of 16-under, the Dublin-born golfer became only the fifth player to win both the Senior Open and The Open Championship.

Joining an exclusive list with the likes of Darren Clarke, Tom Watson, Gary Player, and Bob Charles, Harrington is also only the third Irish winner of the tournament, following in the footsteps of Clarke and Christy O’Connor Jr.

The former world No.3 spoke to Sky Sports after his victory and opened up about his desire to continue creating a legacy in his professional career, which has lasted over 30 years. “Right now, I am just thrilled to have won the tournament,” he began.

“Having won The Open and going on to win the Senior Open, one of five players, you want to be in that category. I think they’re the things you realise over the coming days, the significance of it.

“Right now, I am just thrilled and a bit euphoric about getting it done. As I said, as you get older you realise the legacy of what you have done. You want to win at a great golf course like Sunningdale, you want to do things that stand out.

“Having won an Open and coming now and winning the Senior Open, it does give some validation. It’s certainly satisfying.” His comments could provide McIlroy with a dilemma as it was only in March this year that the Northern Irishman categorically shut down any chance of competing on the PGA Tour Champions when he turns 50.

“Absolutely not,” the Masters champion said while smiling when asked of that possibility. A discussion was had on the difficulty of retiring from golf and when the Champions Tour was brought up, McIlroy was clear in his plan not to grace the circuit.

“Look, I’ve said a lot of absolutes in my time that I’ve walked back,” the 36-year-old said. “But I do not envision playing Champions Tour golf. Something has gone terribly wrong if I have to compete at golf at 50.”

When it comes to financials, McIlroy ranks only second to Tiger Woods with the highest earnings in PGA Tour history with £79million banked in prize money. However, there could be a time in the future with the Northern Irishman potentially walks back his comments in a desire to achieve more history, like Harrington.