The eyes were dialled in. The tongue was at the side of the mouth. It happens a lot less frequently now, but Padraig Harrington still lives for being in contention in the back nine on Sunday.

Harrington showed the true competitor that he is with an enthralling challenge for his second European Tour title in as many years. That challenge saw him chip-in twice, including a miraculous par at the par 4 10^th hole. In true Harrington fashion, he took on the risky 200-yard wood over water from the trees, with his ball landing just short of the green. Not to worry. Harrington proceeded to pitch into the hole from 60 yards, landing the ball to the left of the hole before it spun into the cup.

The Irishman stuck in it all day and went on the attack on the 15^th hole, hitting his best drive of the day to leave an 8 iron into the par 5. A fine iron set up an eagle and he was tied for the lead.

Unlike the winner Justin Rose, who would birdie two of the last three holes, Harrington could not add any more red numbers to the card from that point onwards, but it was not for want of trying. A chip on 17 was just a roll short of dropping for birdie, and while trying to hole out for eagle on 18, he hit a superb iron directly at the flag, falling just 10 feet short of the pin.

“I’m very happy leaving,” Harrington said. “I know I didn’t win the tournament but Justin obviously clearly went ahead and won it. I didn’t lose it.

“I made it quite exciting at times out there but I was happy with what I saw in myself. There was a lot of good things. I hit off the tee so much better this week. Iron play wasn’t as good as it could have been but short game was sharp.

“I think the guys just played better at the end of the day. I don’t have any real regrets.”

A tournament invite to the event, Harrington heads to South Africa next week in high spirits, looking to close out his season in style.