'A sad day for my family' - Heartbroken Padraig Harrington mourning death of loved one

It's a situation a lot of his Instagram followers found very relatable

PADRAIG'S PAIN ‘A sad day for my family’ – Heartbroken Padraig Harrington mourning death of loved one

PADRAIG Harrington has been left heartbroken after the death of his pet dog Setanta from an operation gone awry.

Taking to Instagram, the three-time major winner shared the devastating news that the Bernese Mountain Dog had died.

3 These days Harrington is one of the premier players on the PGA's senior tour Credit: Getty

3 He shared a photo album of his cute pet to mark his very sad passing Credit: @PADRAIGHARRINGTON

3 Including one where Setanta was draped in an Ireland rugby jersey Credit: @PADRAIGHARRINGTON

He reflected: "A sad day for my family, tragically we lost Setanta to an adverse reaction to an anesthetic."

Losing a pet is such a sadly universal experience that he received a lot of support and empathy from followers in the comments section.

Enda recalled: "So sorry to hear this Padraig. We had a similar experience with our Bernese a few years ago.

"The grief of losing a treasured family pet is real, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise."

While John added: "Heartbroken for you and all the family. And for Murray, Nala and Rio.

"A heavy heart for you all. Not long since you lost Wilson too. Thinking of you all x."

As remarked in that reply, Setanta's longtime playmate Wilson passed away in August 2024.

Rio is the puppy the family adopted two months later to provide Setanta with some much-needed company while Nala is the latter's sister who occasionally comes to visit.

Within a golfing context, the 53-year-old last made headlines globally with his criticism of Bryson DeChambeau in the wake of him wilting in his Masters duel with Rory McIlroy.

Paired together for the final round, McIlroy eventually secured the Green Jacket while the American fell out of contention by the Amen Corner turn.

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McIlroy was clearly in his own bubble and is not a big fan of the showy big-hitter anyway.

The silent treatment did not impress DeChambeau, nor did the closing 75 that saw his own Masters challenge crash and burn.

He slipped from second into tied-fifth and said: “I’ve no idea how Rory is feeling right now. He didn’t talk to me once all day.”

Asked if he had tried to start a conversation, DeChambeau, 31, replied: “He wouldn’t talk to me.”

Despite the gripe, the US Open champion took to X to praise the Holywood hotshot.

DeChambeau wrote: “It’s tough but moments like this have taught me a lot...we will be back.

“Huge congratulations to Rory on an incredible achievement.”

BRYSON BLASTED

Harrington, however, didn't pull any punches in his assessment of how DeChambeau self-sabotaged by trying to pull off a "personality change".

He was equally cutting in his assessment of the gripe with his playing partner not engaging in conversation with him at any point of the 18 holes.

Speaking on the Indo Sport podcast, the Dubliner blasted: "Bryson coming up with, 'He didn't talk to me.'

"Who does Bryson want to be? Can you imagine going out on a football pitch and saying the guy marking you wasn't very nice to you."

The former Ryder Cup captain then cited when he was in a similar boat vying for a major championship in a battle with someone he notoriously didn't get along with.

Remembering his British Open triumph, he underlined: "In 2007 I talked the ear off Charlie Wi for the last 36 holes - but I didn't say a word to Sergio Garcia.

"Because it suited me to talk. But I ain't trying to relax to the other guy (in contention).

"That was a weird one with Bryson. Clearly he was off his game. His ego led to him chasing something that he isn't."

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