A back nine that will be remembered as one of the most solid finishes ever in windy conditions was what Padraig Harrington needed to win his second consecutive Open Championship.

Out in three-over 37, Harrington fought off a charging Ian Poulter and a struggling Greg Norman to claim his second major championship and put his name alongside the likes of Old Tom Morris, Bobby Jones, Peter Thompson and Tiger Woods as back-to-back champions of the Open.

"I was real good today," Harrington said after his round.

Padraig found his game at the turn, making birdies on 13, 15 and one of the best shots you'll ever see on the 17th hole to set up a short eagle putt that gave him a four shot lead heading to the 18th tee. A two-putt par on the last had the Irishman flashing a huge smile and that historic trophy for another 52 weeks.

Unlike last year, Harrington got to embrace and enjoy the walk up the 18th green, besting the field by four shots in a tournament that was up for grabs most of the day.

Questionable at the beginning of the week because of a wrist injury, Harrington was steady all week, posting rounds of 74-68-72-69 to join just Ernie Els on the list of golfers to break par in two of the four days.

A lot of critics were worried people would view this tournament with an asterisk because Woods wasn't a part of the field but that back nine by Harrington will shut the critics up. Impressive ball-striking, a putter that never cooled off and the experience you need to pull off the perfect shot at the perfect time has Padraig with his second Claret Jug.