Padraig Harrington snatches title with 72nd hole eagle

Padraig Harrington holed a 65-foot eagle putt at the last after American Jim Furyk suffered a late collapse to win the Barclays Classic by a shot on Sunday for his second PGA Tour title of the year.

The 33-year-old Irishman closed with a one-under 70 for a 72-hole total of 10-under 274, edging out Furyk, who had led by three with five holes to play.

Harrington, who lost out to Spaniard Sergio Garcia in a three-way playoff for last year's title, became Ireland's first winner on the PGA Tour when he beat Vijay Singh at the second extra hole in the Honda Classic in March.

"The putt did everything it should have," Harrington told reporters. "I can't believe it.

"I feel sorry for Jim...but I guess this is sweet redemption for last year."

Furyk, winless on the PGA Tour since the 2003 Buick Open bogeyed 16 and 17 on his way to a 71.

It was a crushing defeat for Furyk who had led the tournament from the start of the week and was beaten by compatriot J.P. Hayes in a playoff for the 1998 title at the Westchester Golf Club.

It was also the third runner-up placing this season for the 2003 U.S. Open champion.

Finishing in a tie for third at five-under 279 were Americans Brad Faxon (73), Brian Gay (73) and Kenny Perry (71).

World number two Singh, who began the day four off the lead dropped out of contention with four bogeys in the first nine holes before finishing seven strokes adrift at three under after a 73.

Spaniard Garcia of Spain ended a disappointing title defence with his best round of the week, a closing 70 lifting him to two-over 286.

Tournament pacesetter all week, Furyk made an early stumble with a bogey at the opening hole but then played flawless golf until a bogey-four on the 16 opened the door for Harrington.

"Then I missed a little one at 17, which, you know I should have knocked that putt in 99 out of 100 times," said Furyk. "That was disappointing.

"There's no consolation ... finishing second really stinks.

"I think any time you're coming down the stretch, I don't care if you're Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus, there's nerves. That's what makes it important," added Furyk, who returned to competition a year ago after surgery on his left wrist.

"When that stuff stops happening, I'm going to quit the game because that means it doesn't mean anything to me anymore."

Harrington, co-leader overnight with Furyk, also got off to a shaky start a bogey at the second and a double-bogey six at the third dropping him back into second place.

However, the world number 11 responded with a birdie at the seventh and an eagle-three at the ninth to get back to even par.

Harrington then appeared to undo all his hard work with back-to-back bogeys on 11 and 12 but rallied with another birdie on 14 to stay in the fight.

Since claiming his maiden PGA Tour win in March, Harrington has struggled with indifferent form and missed the cut in three of six events, including the U.S. Masters and U.S. Open.

He has also battled to maintain focus while worrying about his Dublin-based father who is battling cancer.

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