Padraig Harrington inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame

Padraig Harrington said he felt a "deep sense of satisfaction and validation" after being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Monday night.

The three-time major winner joined 19-time LPGA winner Sandra Palmer as the only living inductees at the ceremony, which took place in North Carolina.

LPGA legend Beverly Hanson, former British Open champion and golf course architect Tom Weiskopf and former US Open champion Johnny Farrell were inducted posthumously.

"Enotionally it brings me deep sense of satisfaction and validation to be inducted into the hall of fame," Harrington said in his acceptance speech.

"As a player you get inducted into the hall of fame based on your golf results. So yes, I won three majors, numerous events around the world, I played six Ryder Cups, and that's what gets you in the hall of fame. But there is a story behind it. So what's my story?

"Frstly I'm not sure whether I loved the game or the game loved me because it was truly great to me.

"I loved the fact it was never meant to be a fair game. It was always meant to be a test of skill and mental fortitude. I loved the rules; I loved the etiquette; I loved the competition. Probably ultimately, I loved the meritocracy of it, that you're out their on our own, no one else decides your fate, and it's up to you to get it done."

The Dubliner also took the opportunity to pay tribute to his long-time caddie Ronan Flood, adding: "People often ask if caddies really make a difference, and categorically I can say Ronan won me the 2007 Open Championship.

"On the 72nd hole, after I hit my second hole in the water, it was the first and only time I've ever been on the golf course where I felt embarrassed, where I wanted to gve up. I really thought I'd thrown away the