VIRGINIA WATER, England -- Padraig Harrington has been named the 2008 European Tour Golfer of the Year, crowning a sensational season for the Irishman during which he firmly established himself as one of the top five players in the world.

In a glorious three-week spell in mid-summer, the 37-year-old Dubliner successfully defended his British Open title at Royal Birkdale -- making him the first European golfer to achieve the feat since Scotland's James Braid in 1905-06 -- before becoming the first European golfer since Scotland's Tommy Armour in 1930 to win the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills.

This notable double led to another as Harrington received the European Tour Golfer of the Year Award -- voted for by a panel comprising representatives of the Association of Golf Writers (AGW), Television, Radio and The European Tour -- for the second year in succession. He accepted the accolade in 2007 following his first British Open victory at Carnoustie.

The Irishman moves alongside Bernhard Langer and Lee Westwood as two-time winners of the award -- first presented in 1985 -- and tied for fifth on the all-time list, which is topped by Colin Montgomerie with four wins, followed by Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els and Nick Faldo with three wins apiece.

Joining such illustrious company is something the three-time major championship winner admitted fills him with a considerable sense of pride and achievement.

"When you look at the names of the people who have won the European Tour Golfer of the Year over the past 23 seasons, it certainly shows the standing of the award in the world of golf," said Harrington.

"It is very pleasing to be considered alongside these great players and also a great honor to have been voted ahead of some very fine contenders, not just this year, but last year as well. It has been a very strong couple of years for European golf, which makes this achievement all the more memorable.

"I am sure that in 20 years time, when I am sitting back at home reflecting on my career, I might hear somebody -- perhaps even one of my sons -- say they'd heard some player or another had been announced as the European Tour Golfer of the Year. At that moment I'd be able to say to them; 'Hey, I won that twice you know,' and I'd be proud to do so."

At Royal Birkdale, Harrington's steely nerve and precise shot-making -- which included a stunning 5-wood approach from 249 yards to three feet on the 17th hole on Sunday, a shot later voted the European Tour Shot of the Year for 2008 -- saw him hold off the challenges of Ian Poulter and Greg Norman to win by four shots. At Oakland Hills, a sensational joust with Sergio Garcia -- reminiscent of their tussle at Carnoustie in 2007 -- led to him holing crucial putts late on the Sunday afternoon to eventually emerge two shots clear of the Spaniard.

"I played very well early in the season, had a bunch of top-5s and got in contention a few times, but the week of the Open Championship I went out and played great, I really did," said Harrington. "I hit the ball superbly, especially on the Sunday, and it was a very, very satisfying win for me because of the quality of my golf.

"After you win a major, you get such a high out of it that, not surprisingly, there can be a little bit of a fall off. Therefore, to go out and win the PGA Championship three weeks later was incredibly exciting," he added. "Holing those putts at the end and the way the win came about, I will never forget it -- that was one of the most thrilling wins of my entire career."

European Tour Chief Executive George O'Grady led the tributes to Harrington.

"Padraig's remarkable accomplishment in successfully defending the Open Championship then, 21 days later, completing a unique double by capturing the PGA Championship, quite rightly earned him the European Tour Golfer of the Year Award and, from many observers, also the accolade of the greatest sportsman in Ireland's history."

Harrington, a 14-time winner on the European Tour, is already looking ahead to the 2009 season and being a strong contender for The Race to Dubai.

"I have some serious gym work to do in my winter break and I also have some swing changes to make," he said. "When I come out next year, I will be focused on getting my game ready for every week and building up for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National. I know the Masters will be the hardest major for me to win because of the attention that will be on me."

Having won three majors in 13 months, many people might deem the Irishman's planned winter overhaul as unnecessary, believing he should be more than happy with his game, even to the extent that he might consider it in the perfect state.

Harrington, however, had one simple reply to that notion. "The day I think that," he said. "Is the day I will retire."