Harrington wasn't even in the picture Sunday morning when players returned to Oakland Hills to resume the weather-delayed third round, some of them playing 36 holes. He was 4 over after nine holes, then ran off four straight birdies on the back nine for a 66 to get into contention going into the final 18.

With another major at stake under gloomy skies, Harrington simply shined.

And for the second straight year, Garcia suffered.

Harrington rallied from six shots behind last year to beat Garcia in a playoff at Carnoustie. This time, he spotted the Spaniard three shots when they made the turn and made four birdies over the back nine.

He knocked in a 15-foot birdie on the 10th, chipped to 3 feet for birdie on the par-5 12th and caught Garcia with a 12-foot birdie on the 13th. Garcia, whose birdie-eagle start thrust him into contention, didn't make a birdie over the final 12 holes.

Garcia accepted defeat far more graciously than at Carnoustie, although he was terse when asked if he sensed he would win his first major as he headed to the back nine after two tremendous par saves.

"Next question, please," he said. "Let's try to keep this as positive as we can, please."

Harrington lamented a British Open hangover after opening with rounds of 71-74, unable to concentrate. Maybe the rain delay Saturday gave him the rest he needed, for his focus returned. He looked more determined than ever, front teeth pinched forward and tongue tucked out of the corner of his mouth on every important shot.

J.B. Holmes, who had a one-shot lead when he arrived Sunday morning to play the final 36 holes, was one shot behind going into the final round and collapsed in a hurry with a triple bogey. He shot 81.

Boo Weekley closed with a 66 to finish at No. 8 in the standings and earn his first trip to the Ryder Cup.

Woods is the only other player to win so many majors so quickly in the last 25 years — the U.S. Open in June made him 4-of-8 until he had season-ending surgery on his left knee. And while the world's No. 1 player wasn't around for the last two majors, he surely could have appreciated Harrington's performance — especially on the greens.

Trying to play it safe after Garcia went into the water on the 16th, Harrington pulled his approach into the bunker and blasted out some 12 feet beyond the cup, leaving himself a putt with about 2 feet of break. He made it for par, then hit 5-iron to 8 feet on the 17th for one of only four birdies there in the final round.

As well as Harrington played, however, Garcia had a hand in his victory.