Among all the celebrations going on from Southport to Dublin and on to Oakland Hills in the last month was once again a tinge of sadness that Padraig Harrington’s father had not lived to see any of his son’s three major triumphs. Paddy Harrington died far too young in 2005 and the three times champion has made no secret of the huge influence his father had on his career, his character and beliefs.

So when a family funeral a few weeks ago took me to a small graveyard nestling in the foothills of the Dublin mountains and I found myself passing by Paddy’s grave, I went back later for a quick prayer – and to ponder again on the brilliance of that five wood at Royal Birkdale’s 17th.

Each of the rows in the cemetery ends in a granite bench, set there for the use of visitors. Paddy’s grave, being at the end of a row, is beside one, but the inscription on this one needs updating.

Smiling? I’d say he’s grinning from ear to ear.