Harrington has become just the fourth player to successfully defend the US Senior Open title, claiming a four-shot victory at Scioto Country Club in Ohio.

The win also made Harrington only the second three-time champion in the event's 46-year history, joining Miller Barber.

The 54-year-old began the final round one stroke behind before producing a four-under 66 to secure victory. He was the only player in the field to break 70 in all four rounds.

Harrington now heads to Royal Birkdale for next week's Open Championship, the venue where he claimed the Claret Jug in 2008. He is the first player since Allen Doyle in 2006 to win back-to-back US Senior Open titles.

One of Europe's most accomplished golfers, Harrington owns three major championships and is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. He became the first European golfer to win consecutive majors when he backed up his 2008 Open Championship victory with the US PGA Championship just weeks later.

Harrington has played Wilson equipment since 1998, one of the longest player-manufacturer relationships in the game. Since signing with the brand, he has won three major championships, four senior majors and 12 PGA Tour Champions titles.

"I like creating records, and to be part of that is a big deal. It just shows how hard it is," Harrington said.

"It feels great, but there wasn't the drama we normally provide down the stretch. I knew I had a nice lead, which let me play to the middle of the greens and hit the shots. I hit some big shots coming home to take all the stress out of it."

The victory places Harrington alongside Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Lee Trevino as players to have won both The Open Championship and the US Senior Open.

Bob Thurman, Global General Manager of Golf at Wilson, said Harrington's latest success continued an extraordinary career.

"Padraig is a truly wonderful ambassador for Wilson, and his history-making successes with our golf equipment continue to excite and inspire us all," Thurman said.

"He is a credit to the game of golf, and we're delighted to celebrate his fourth senior Major title with him."