Padraig Harrington makes 'cocky' comment after losing to Angel Cabrera at Senior PGA

Padraig Harrington believes getting too "cocky" on the 15th tee cost him winning a first Senior PGA Championship at Congressional. 

Harrington, 53, surged into a two-shot lead on 10-under par after playing his first 14 holes of the final round in 7-under par. 

But the three-time major champion was left to rue a big hook off the the 15th tee and it led to a double-bogey six that sent him back into a tie for the lead.

Harrington then proceeded to bogey the par-4 18th to close with a 68 and it left him one shot behind eventual winner Angel Cabrera. 

"I’ve had a lifelong problem with getting confident and cocky and I did on the 15 tee box," said a disappointed Harrington.

"t was such a simple tee shot. 

"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."

Cabrera, 55, took full advantage of Harrington's late slip with a birdie on the 15th to move into a two-shot lead.

The Argentine was then afforded the luxury of three-putting the 18th for a bogey and round of 69 to see out a one-shot victory and a second senior major in two straight weeks.

Cabrera also won by one shot at the Regions Tradition. 

"To win a major is incredible, so I'm very proud," Cabrera told reporters.

"It brings a lot of thoughts into my mind. It was very hard, the stuff I went through, so there's a lot going on in my mind right now. It's hard to process."

Cabrera was referencing the fact he served 30 months in various South American prisons for domestic violence offences.

The Argentine, nicknamed El Pato (The Duck) because of the way he walks, was found guilty in 2021 of numerous charges that included assault, theft and illegal intimidation against former girlfriends.

He was released in August 2023 and returned to Augusta National for the first time since his incarceration last month.

Cabrera's return was heavily criticised.

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley was questioned about the decision to allow Cabrera to compete in the first men's major of the year.

Ridley said Augusta 'deplores domestic violence of any type'.

But he added: "As it relates to Angel, Angel has served the sentence that was prescribed by the Argentine courts, he is the past champion and so he was invited."