When he’s not chasing PGA Tour Champions tournament titles, Padraig Harrington can be seen in instructional videos that he posts on social media. And any chance he gets, he’ll speak at length about what amateurs can do to become better golfers.
At this week’s PNC Championship, where the three-time major champion is playing alongside son Paddy, Harrington was talking about the field, the format and how, because of this event, his kids “have a much better love for the game of golf.”
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Back for his eighth go-around in the PNC, Padraig is one of 20 major champs in the event. Each is paired with a family member who is not a pro, as the format calls for.
More: Does the future of PGA Tour Champions hinge on Tiger Woods? We asked around
“They’re not trying to be pros,” he said of the sons, stepsons and daughters in the field. “They’re out here just trying to hit some good shots and enjoy it.”
He also recognizes there’s a certain dynamic of being an elite pro with a deep resume.
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Paddy Harrington watches a putt on the ninth green as his father Padraig Harrington looks on during the second round of the 2024 PNC Championship at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando.
“Unfortunately, for the sons of professional golfers or daughters, it’s very competitive. They’re seeing their dad, parent, competing all the time, the highs and lows of that. And the expectations when everybody turns up and watches them, there’s always expectations. It’s a pretty tough, frustrating game to be the parent. Especially as we’re so good and so much better than our kids for such a long period of time. Like I probably passed my father in golfing ability at 13 years of age, 13, 14. So it’s tough for the kids,” he said. “This [the PNC] is a way to get them interested, get them working on their game, get them looking forward to something in a very, very relaxed manner. Every year I enjoy coming here because I’ve gotten to know the other pros’ sons and daughters and I’ve seen them grow up.”
Then Padraig shifted into golf swing video instructor mode and offered a sound strategy for pre-tournament practice. It all has to do with a time-honored tradition: Eventually, kids tune out their dads and don’t want to hear any more practice tips, but they’ll listen to someone else.
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“I’ve said this before, I always believe when it comes to this event, we should swap, in terms of coaching, we should all be allocated somebody else’s son or daughter, and then it’s a lot easier to talk to them and give them lessons,” he explained.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Padraig Harrington has golf tips for the non-pros at PNC Championship
