Also joining the new Hall, which debuts this week at Pinehurst following a relocation from Florida, were Sandra Palmer, the late Tom Weiskopf, Johnny Farrell, Beverly Hanson, and the 13 LPGA Founders. Palmer secured victory in 19 LPGA Tour events, including two majors: the 1972 Titleholders Championship and the 1975 US Women's Open. 

The LPGA, established in 1950 by 13 pioneering players, including Alice Bauer, Bettye Danoff, Helen Dettweiler, Helen Hicks, Opal Hill, Sally Sessions, and Shirley Spork, joins past inductees Patty Berg, Marlene Bauer Hagge, Louise Suggs, Babe Zaharias, Marilynn Smith, and Betty Jameson.

Harrington, a 52-year-old hailing from Dublin, claimed victory at the 2007 and 2008 British Opens, as well as the 2008 PGA Championship. He was honored as European Tour Golfer of the Year in 2007 and 2008, Order of Merit winner in 2006, and US PGA Tour Player of the Year in 2008.

"This is very exciting," Harrington said. "It's somewhat humbling. At this stage of my life, it gives me some validation to what I've done in golf. This is a deep-down satisfaction and I'm very proud to be included with the players before me.

"Emotionally it brings me deep sense of satisfaction and validation to be inducted into the hall of fame. So yes, I won three majors, numerous events around the world, I played six Ryder Cups, and that's what gets you in the hall of fame.

"But there is a story behind it. So what's my story? Firstly I'm not sure whether I loved the game or the game loved me because it was truly great to me. I loved the fact it was never meant to be a fair game. It was always meant to be a test of skill and mental fortitude. I loved the rules; I loved the etiquette; I loved the competition. 

"Probably ultimately, I loved the meritocracy of it, that you're out there on your own, no one else decides your fate, and it's up to you to get it done."