VIDEO: Padraig Harrington uses Happy Gilmore swing in long-drive contest
Golf Culture PGA Championship

VIDEO: Padraig Harrington uses Happy Gilmore swing in long-drive contest

FOLLOW: iHEART | TUNEIN


If Bubba Watson was the wet blanket on the return of the PGA Championship long-drive contest, then Padraig Harrington was the spark it needed.

Harrington, the 2008 PGA champion at Oakland Hills, decided to enter the contest using the Happy Gilmore swing. What's even better is that the Irishman goes through his entire routine, leading the crowd to believe he'll simply hit a standard shot. Then he steps back and quickly does it Gilmore style.

Too bad the drive didn't even land Harrington inside the top 10 in distance, but it landed him on the medal stand for most entertaining drive.

RELATED: Harrington practices on his knees | A deep drive on "Happy Gilmore" | Phil Mickelson tries Happy Gilmore swing

Louis Oosthuizen won the long-drive contest, played on the par-5 10th hole at Valhalla G.C., with a 340-yard poke. By comparison, Jack Nicklaus won the long-absent contest in 1963 with a 341-yard drive using persimmon woods and a wound ball.

About the author

Ryan Ballengee

Ryan Ballengee is the founder, owner and operator of Golf News Net.

Sometimes we post sponsored content from this account, and it is labeled as such.

We also occasionally include links to products and services from merchants of our choice. GNN may earn a commission from sales generated by those links. See more in GNN's affiliate disclosure.

Add Comment

Click here to post a comment