PADRAIG HARRINGTON has revealed how his career was “broken” by Rory McIlroy.
The three-time major winner went into the 2011 US Open brimming with confidence as one of the favourites.
Rory McIlroy’s record breaking display ended Harrington’s time at the top[/caption]
But Harrington ended up being blown away by a then-21-year-old McIlroy’s record breaking performance.
The Northern Irishman clinched his first major by finishing on a staggering 16 under par with the lowest 72-hole score in tournament history.
McIlroy‘s next level display left Harrington worrying that his time at the top was over.
He told the Cookie Jar Golf Podcast: “Rory broke me in 2011.
“He broke everyone but forget that. I was the best player – that’s what I believed.
“I’ve gone into Congressional, I played a practice round with Adam on Wednesday and he has then done an interview and told everybody to go home.
“He says, ‘you might as well all go home because Padraig Harrington is winning it’.
“I am in my head the best player. I have won three majors recently and I am in great form. I prepared right.
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“I go into this tournament and Rory does something that I can’t compete with.
“Wipes the floor with everyone. We are all the same. He’s just blown us all away.
“That’s OK if I thought I could get better, that’s fine. When Tiger Woods was doing that in the early 2000s, I was only on my way up.
“This is me at my best and I don’t think I can compete with him.
“You name every player who has hit a peak. 2008, I was not looking over my shoulder, I was only concerned about me.
“2011 onwards, I’m now thinking I’m not good enough.”
Harrington added on social media: “It fits the mould for nearly all golfers.
“They believe they have all the game to win, then a new kid arrives and they feel they have to be a different version of themselves to win now. Tiger did this to so many in the late 90s.”
McIlroy has gone on to win four major titles, with his last coming in 2014.
Inside Rory McIlroy's whirlwind love life
RORY MCILROY enjoyed a high-profile romance with former tennis world number one Caroline Wozniacki before their split in 2014.
The following year, the golf ace began dating Erica Stoll, who he had first met on the PGA Tour in 2011.
Erica often interacted with players through her role as the PGA’s manager of championship volunteer operations.
She even prevented McIlroy from missing his tee time at the 2012 Ryder Cup after some confusion over the time zone.
The incident began a firm friendship between the pair, four years before their relationship turned romantic.
McIlroy and Erica were spotted on a string of dates in Rochester, New York, in the early days of their relationship.
Just eight months later, the couple got engaged in Paris and walked down the aisle at Ashford Castle in Ireland in 2017.
The pair then welcomed daughter Poppy into the world three years later.
Throughout their time together, McIlroy and Erica have kept their relationship to themselves, with the golfer keen to protect his family from the cameras during filming of Netflix’s Full Swing documentary series.
However, after seven years of marriage, McIlroy filed for divorce from Erica.
The reasons for the divorce were not disclosed, but the Northern Irishman submitted documents to a court in Florida.
However, a few weeks later, performed a U-turn on their decision to divorce.
McIlroy told the outlet: “Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
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