Padraig swaps the birdies for baby panda
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CUTE: Padraig Harrington, wife Caroline and sons Patrick and Ciaran meet a baby panda during a visit to the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, C
BEING a triple Major winner has its advantages - as Padraig Harrington's family found out in China today.
Padraig was joined by his wife Caroline and their two sons, Patrick and Ciaran, for a private meet-and-greet with a baby panda during a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China.
The Dublin family were joined by fellow golfer Spain's Sergio Garcia, and all posed happily for a photograph as the baby panda nestled comfortably into Padraig and Sergio.
Padraig is in China to play in the Volvo Open.
Last week in Augusta, he spoke out in support of Rory McIlroy, who suffered one of the biggest implosions in Major championship history. Padraig said he had no doubt that Rory would bounce back.
"Rory did incredibly well afterwards," Harrington said. "In a week's time, he'll have had time to reflect, but his attitude so soon after walking off the 18th green on Sunday was fantastic and augurs well for his future.
"He'll come through this. Rory has proved many times he's capable of winning these things, but I think even more so after Sunday. He'll win plenty of Majors."
Last month, he received a hero's welcome when he returned to the south Dublin golf course where it all began to open a special room filled with mementos from his illustrious career.
The Harrington Room, in Stackstown Golf Club in Rathfarnham, is filled with trophies, jackets, scorecards, photographs and other souvenirs.
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