Harrington passes Weir to win Dick’s Sporting Goods Open

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Mike Weir couldn’t stop Padraig Harrington on Sunday, settling for second place at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open in Endicott, NY

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Weir led by one shot into the final round, but the Bright’s Grove native shot a 1-under-71 to finish three shots behind Harrington.

Weir was aiming for his second career win – and first of the season – with the PGA Tour Champions.

He earned $168,000 to move up to 28th on the money list with nearly $503,000 in earnings this season.

Weir fired a 5-under 67 in the first round at En-Joie Golf Club on Friday and took the lead on Saturday with a 7-under 65.

On Sunday, Harrington quickly gained a lead he would not lose. After he and Weir both had par on the first hole, Weir bogeyed on the second hole while Harrington birdied to go a shot forward.

Harrington turned with a two-stroke lead and was up four after 11 holes.

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“I was very aware of myself and Mike that we both wanted to do some birdies,” Harrington said. “We had to get to (No.) 14 under par – 13, 14, 15 under par – and that meant it was a battle between the two of us and not the field.

“It was very important that we didn’t screw up with a level par shoot. We both shot well below average to break away from the chasing group.”

Harrington saw an opportunity for Weir to birdie No. 15 and reduce the lead to three or even two, but both parried the hole.

“That shot out of the trees was probably important, the ups and downs,” Harrington said. “Mike could have birdied, I could have bogeyed or worse and flipped it, but otherwise it’s been pretty solid all day.”

Harrington shot a 67 in the final round and ended up 16 under. Weir and Thongchai Jaidee were 13 under.

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On Saturday, Weir had seven birdies in eight holes from Nos. 5 through 12.

“(I) just calmed things down a bit and then took some really good shots,” he said. “I was there for the next seven, eight holes in a nice groove. I got a lot of looks, tight shots near the hole and just played really good golf on that course.”

It’s fun to play a role like that, he said.

“You’re just thinking birdie, you’re just thinking middle of the fairway, put me in the fairway because my iron game is good and the putter is finally getting hot for the first time this year,” Weir said. “I was kinda craving for more holes.”