We're nearing the end of the 2009 season, and we're taking a look back at how the top 20 on the money list fared. First up: Padraig Harrington.

Coming into 2009: Harrington was the one guy who really took advantage of Tiger Woods' surgically-enabled absence by winning the last two majors of 2008. Then, for some unfathomable reason, he began tinkering with his swing, and the results were catastrophic. He looked like a man lost at sea for the first half of 2009. 

High-water mark: Harrington notched six top-10 finishes, which out of 21 tournaments isn't exactly amazing. But consider the fact that all six of those came in the last six tournaments he played. Changing your mind now? He tied for second at both the Barclays and the WGC-Bridgestone, and was in the hunt at the FedEx Cup until the tournament's final day. 

The low point: The number 8. Harrington had two straight tournaments where he was either in the lead or challenging for it, and in both cases torpedoed his chances with a snowman. Still, considering the fact that he'd practically forgotten which way to hold his club earlier in the year, he was okay with the misfires.

Outlook for 2010: Almost nobody concluded 2009 on a hotter streak than Harrington, so it could be that he's got all his swing problems behind him once and for all. If so, that'd be a welcome change and a welcome return to form for Big Irish. 

Related posts from 2009:
Padraig Harrington adds 30 yards with the Happy Gilmore swing
Twas not a good day to be an Irishman at the Masters
Padraig Harrington got a stopwatch wrapped around his throat

Related: Padraig Harrington, Tiger Woods