By Rob McLaren

DURING A day of bad weather, the sun shone on Padraig Harrington as he captured the Open Championship in Carnoustie last night.

The sun peaked out from heavy cloud for the first time of the day when Harrington was presented with the trophy, after winning a tense play-off against Sergio Garcia by one stroke.

The Irishman said, “There isn’t a player who didn’t find this course a test and enjoyed that test.

“Credit to Carnoustie golf course. It’s one of the best in the world.”

Around 154,000 people attended the tournament’s practice days and four days of competition, slightly down on the 157,000 attendance in 1999, the last year the Open was held on the Angus course.

Martin Kippax, chairman of the championship committee, said, “Carnoustie has proved over the years to be one of the most demanding of our Open venues and it proved it again this year. It was a challenge for the finest players in the world.

“I’d like to pay tribute to John Philp for the tremendous condition of the course.

“Despite the weather the golf was entertaining and people turned out in great numbers.

“I also pay tribute to the Carnoustie championship committee and its staff for their unflagging support for the many months leading up to the championship.”

David Valentine, Angus Council economic development manager, proclaimed the event a “tremendous success” for the region.

He said, “There has been a lot of very happy people at the tournament. Everyone I have spoken to has said that the arrangements for the event have made it very smooth.

“The local people and Carnoustie community council have worked hard to provide value and convenience.

“Over 1000 people had their photographs taken with the replica trophy and we have over 2000 names registered on our database for more information about golfing packages to Angus, and 4500 people took away booklets about the region.

“The economic benefits of the tournament have been huge, not just during the week, but we will also feel the effect in years to come.”

Tayside Police reported only a handful of arrests throughout the week. Chief Inspector Willie Clark, who was operation commander for the event, said, “Considerable effort went into road policing and policing within the venue. We worked very closely with the R&A for many months.

“We are happy with how we carried out the plan. Our relationship with the golf spectators has been first class and we have enjoyed being here.”

Mr Clark said, “I’d also like to thank motorists who observed the speed limits and the Carnoustie residents who respected the parking restrictions.”

Steven Reid, depute chief medical officer of the R&A, said around 400 people received medical attention during the week. The medical unit had been dealing with the population of a moderately sized town, with 35,000 customers and 6000 staff.

“Around 400 people received medical attention throughout the tournament. This is fewer than in previous years, when the weather was sunnier and we had to attend to people with burns and heatstroke.

“We had to treat to a number of people who had slipped and fallen, but not as many as might have been the case.”