Padraig Harrington
Wednesday May 20,2009
Ireland's three-time major champion Padraig Harrington has been named by his fellow professionals as the inaugural winner of the European 
Harrington was honoured at the tour's annual awards dinner at Wentworth - but then departed because he is not playing this week's BMW PGA Championship.
The Dubliner commented: "I am deeply honoured to be recognised by my fellow European Tour professionals. I am sure the awarded will go from strength to strength and to be named as the first winner is very special indeed."
The new award was conceived by the circuit's tournament committee. The US tour already has such an award - and Harrington also won that for his Open and US PGA double last season.
