Padraig Harrington says the golfing problem he has suffered with his entire life came back to haunt him at the Senior PGA Championship

Padraig Harrington must be wondering how exactly he is not a two-time senior major winner following the final round of the Senior PGA Championship on Sunday.

Padraig Harrington was in the driving seat to win the Senior PGA Championship at Congressional having started Sunday two shots adrift of Angel Cabrera.

Harrington hit the front on his way to reaching seven under par for the day after 14 holes in Maryland. However, much of his hard work was undone on the final four holes.

The 53-year-old made a double bogey on the 15th hole. And he would miss a short putt on the last to lose by one to Cabrera – who also won the first senior major of the year at The Tradition.

Padraig Harrington blames ‘lifelong problem’ after finishing second at the Senior PGA Championship

The Argentinian was also able to make a five on the 18th hole to get across the line. And it seems that Harrington was kicking himself at failing to get the job done.

Speaking after his final round, Harrington – who, like Cabrera, won a first major title in 2007 – noted that it was a familiar mistake which cost him when it really mattered in the closing stages of the tournament.

“Yeah, you know, I got off to a good start. Kept my head down. Like 7-under through 14, I could have been more, doing handstands,” he said.

“You know, I’ve had a lifelong problem with getting confident and cocky and I did on the 15 tee box it was such a simple tee shot. 5-wood, a little draw down there, and I just totally didn’t get into it enough and then panicked at the last moment and hit a big hook.

“It’s always plagued me my whole life since I’ve been a kid. Just get over confident and just don’t. I’d be much better off if I got to the 15th hole and there was water everywhere. Probably would’ve done a better job. I just sometimes just — it follows me around. I can get overconfident.

“Yeah, was all too easy at that stage. Not too easy, but it was an easy shot. I was laying up with the bunker. There is no trouble down there. It’s yeah, all going very well. Obviously when you mess up like that everything is tough after that.

“I hit some beautiful iron shots all week. Hit a great 9-iron into 16. Hit a great 9-iron into 17. Hit a great wedge into 18.

“Yeah, you know, I hit a good first putt on 18. Didn’t see that break at all. You know, obviously I missed a putt back up the hill. We are on the Champions Tour. That’s all I’ll say about that.”

Padraig Harrington shares when the issue has cost him during his career

Harrington has stepped up in some of the biggest stages in the game. He won The Open Championship on two occasions, while he also clinched the PGA Championship in 2008. Meanwhile, he was part of four Ryder Cup-winning sides.