On Wednesday, Harrington became a Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics and will organize golf clinics and other training, as well as raise awareness and charitable funds for the organization. Starting this week at THE PLAYERS Championship, Harrington will wear a Special Olympics logo on his shirt.

 

It's nice to be part of the global scene, and hopefully I'll be able to raise the profile and help somewhat with encouraging volunteers and coaches to help out," the three-time major champion said during the announcement at TPC Sawgrass.

 

Mary Davis, the managing director of Special Olympics Europe and Eurasia, introduced Harrington and was delighted to have a fellow Irish citizen on board.

 

"We're all aware of what he has given to various different charities, not just in Ireland but around the world," Davis said. "He has his own charitable foundation, the Padraig Harrington Charitable Foundation, and he's given much needed funds to various different charities.

 

"He's also a great role model and fantastic mentor to many young golfers. Of course, now that he's going to also be a mentor to our Special Olympics golfers is just fantastic."

 

Following the announcement, Harrington held a clinc with four Special Olympics golfers on the ninth hole of Dye's Valley Course. He said he will get as much out of his Special Olympics involvement as the golfers he plans to help.

 

"It always amazes me, if anybody works with the Special Olympics athletes, how they get back so much from it," Harrington said. "These are some of the most enthusiastic people who give so much back. It's amazing.

 

"Volunteers or coaches, it really is something that you get so much from helping out these Special Olympic athletes. It's actually one of the great benefits."

 

Davis expects Harrington to make a big impact for Special Olympics in general, and the organization's golfers in particular.

 

"Padraig is really building on his previous involvement in the Special Olympics" she said.

 

That included a Padraig Harrington Golf Classic that he hosted to raise funds for the 2003 World Summer Games that were held in Dublin.

 

"It was then that I realized how rewarding it was to be a part of it" Harrington said. "The opportunity has now come up to be part of it again and to help out on a global scale."