![](\"https:\/\/www.fogolf.com\/pros\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/0_GettyImages-617342910.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Irish golf legend is a three-time US Senior Open champion and is still flying high at the age of 55.<\/p>\n
17:33, 01 Sep 2026Updated 17:39, 01 Sep 2026<\/p>\n
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Lee Sharpe(Image: Power Sport Images\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Padraig Harrington has been described as \u201cincredible\u201d by a three-time Premier League winner who wants to join the Irishman on the seniors circuit.<\/p>\n
Former Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe has swapped his football boots for a pair of golf shoes and has some lofty ambitions.<\/p>\n
Sharpe has just moved back to Spain and has joined his local club, where he is working on getting his handicap to a point where he feels he can compete with the best.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m off one at the moment,\u201d he told MirrorSport, speaking via Netbet.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I\u2019m back in Spain, we have rented a place next to a golf course, so I have just joined the golf course and I am down there chipping and putting like an idiot, trying to get my handicap down to plus figures.\u201d<\/p>\n
The former wing wizard is 55, just like Harrington, and has long been obsessed with golf.<\/p>\n
Despite his United manager Alex Ferguson warning his players of the perils of playing the sport – Sharpe once revealed how Fergie feared the swing motion would lead to back injuries – he used to sneak off for regular rounds during his time at the club.<\/p>\n
These days he plays with his son, while he turns to legends of the past for inspiration.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.fogolf.com\/pros\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/0_GettyImages-656429866.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Manchester United captain Bryan Robson (c) celebrates with Mike Phelan (l) and Lee Sharpe (r) after the 1991 UEFA European Cup Winners Cup final win against Barcelona(Image: Simon Bruty\/Allsport\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got a couple of young kids, eight and nine. My lad plays football and I\u2019ve just got him into golf. I am trying to edge him to golf,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
My daughter has not found her sport yet, but she is playing a bit of paddle and doing gymnastics.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why golf?<\/p>\n
\u201cJust so I can play with him! I\u2019m too old to play football with him,\u201d replied Sharpe.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s at a football club where we are in Spain and they start training in a week or two. He\u2019ll do a couple of nights training with them and then play a game on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he comes home from school we try to get nine holes in every evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am trying to get my handicap down, I am trying to get on the seniors, maybe. I\u2019m just an addicted golfer who is always trying to get his handicap down, so we\u2019ll see where it goes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis (getting to scratch) is probably the hardest step. You\u2019ve got to make the right decisions and not put yourself in too much trouble, and make sure you don\u2019t mess around.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for the prospect of one day taking on Irish golfing legend Harrington, Sharpe said: \u201cThat would be amazing. He is incredible, that bloke. I love him.\u201d<\/p>\n
When it comes to his golfing idols, he added: \u201cI\u2019m a bit of an old-school golf fan.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously I like Rory (McIlroy), Jake Knapp, I quite like to watch his swing, but I\u2019m more of a Fred Couples, John Daly, Ben Hogan, Davis Love, I like his swing\u2026 so there are a few of the old-timers that I love, players that were around when I got into golf a long time ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
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