Padraig Harrington arrived at Augusta National boasting he enjoys the best record in the Majors of any player in the past five years.
Not even Tiger Woods can match Harrington’s effort of capturing three Majors since winning the 2007 British Open at Carnoustie.
Harrington jetted into Augusta mid-afternoon Sunday and then after settling his family into their rented house for the week, he and caddy Ronan Flood made their way to the course.
The Dubliner headed straight for the registration office and then spent an hour to 90 minutes on the practice green green.
Padraig Harrington in the Augusta carpark and with wedge in hand declares he's won more Majors in the last five years than any other player. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
He drove back down Magnolia Lane just after noon yesterday (MON) and was in upbeat mode in talking to a handful of journalists in the ‘Competitor’s Car Park’ while all the time swinging a wedge.
“It’s still a very special place, Augusta National, and I came up here working on my putting on my own in the dark last night and it was very nice,” he said.
Whether or not Harrington is superstitious there’s a few omens already working in his favour.
It’s his 13th Masters since making his debut in 2000 and as Harrington spoke it was close a silver Mercedes 4-wheel drive courtesy car he has use of for the week and numbered 66 among the pool of cars.
“This is the 13th time through the gates this year so I haven’t missed any since 2000,” he said.
“Also I would take four 66s this week as that would do me very nicely.
“But then I had to point out to someone last week in Houston who kept asking me if I was into the Masters, and I pointed out nobody has won more Majors in the last five years than me.
“If we took this as a detached thing and we moved 25years forward, I would be the player you’d say I was the guy most likely to win because I’ve won the most Majors in recent history.
“I have to look on it like that. If I get on form, I could be the man.”
Harrington’s best finish in the Majors was fifth place in both in 2002 and 2008.
But in 40 rounds of the Georgia golfing gem Harrington has only broken 70 four times with his lowest round being a pair of 68s.
It prompted Harrington being quizzed if he would be disappointed to end his career not having won a Masters.
“Of course, I would love to win a Masters,” said Harrington.
“The Masters is a tremendous examination and the reason for that is that is it harder to win on this golf course. I have come close in US Open’s and I have won the other two.
Padraig Harrington with Irish newspaper representatives - Brian Keogh, Karl MacGinty, Dermot Gilleece, Bernie and Phillip Reid. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“But then I have only once or twice in all 12 years here at Augusta when I’ve been nervous coming down the last few holes.
“It’s a tough track, it really is. Your distance control has to be really good and you have to putt and chip and drive it really well. But there is nothing I can do about …. It’s not like I can turn up and wave a magic wand to say that I am going to win.
“I can only just play my game and do my thing and if happens, it happens.
“So as dearly as I would love to win a Masters, I am not going to regret it when I am 70 years of age.
”I’ve won three Majors so I’ve already over-achieved, so I am not going to be disappointed if I don’t win more….I’m in a great position, and I don’t have anything to prove.
“So yes, I would love to win a green jacket, love the golf course. Whether I win or don’t win doesn’t take away from anything I have already done. That’s my attitude.
“If you’d offered me three Majors 16 years ago do you think I would have taken it? Of course and everything else is a bonus.”
