Padraig Harrington’s Valero Texas Open appearance takes on near Alamo proportions with now just eight rounds remaining if he’s to qualify for the Masters.
Harrington is among 144 players teeing-up in the $US 6.2m event deep in the heart of Texas on the JW Marriott TPC San Antonio course.
Just 15 in the field are in the Masters and with Harrington, who is also among seven past Majors also who have not qualified for the Masters, fighting for the two remaining Augusta invitations.
It was 178-years ago this month The Alamo mission lying in the very heart of San Antonio was overrun by the Mexican Army and nearly 200 defenders killed that included American legends Davey Crockett and Jim Bowie.
The famous Alamo Mission in the very heart of San Antonio where some 200 defenders were killed this month 178-years ago.
However Harrington’s not about to surrender and remains upbeat about the challenge he faces despite having arrived on Monday from Orlando with the excess weight of a final round 80 in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
“I’m fine and looking forward to a new challenge on a golf course where I played pretty good last year,” he said.
Harrington had walked from the 18th hole just after 6pm on Tuesday and asked if he’d just played the back him to which he responded: “No, I played 36 holes this morning and nine this afternoon. No, I’m only joking and I wouldn’t do that to you as I did only play nine holes.”
Then Harrington could feel very much at home competing in the Pro-Am wrapped-up as he was in woolens and rain gear to combat the cold along with dealing with strong winds and driving rain that lashed the course for near on an hour.
“I know from last year it gets windy here so with the forecast not that good this week, the conditions could suit me,” he said.
Harrington, who is still without a major sponsor on the front of his cap, has made one change this week and that is to have one of the new ‘fat’ grips to his putter.
“I might as well try something new,” he said.
Harrington will play the opening two rounds, teeing off today (THURS) 7.50am (12.50pm Irish) in the company of Australia’s Aaron Baddeley and American William McGirt, both of whom also are not into the Masters.
Baddeley naturally is keen to join fellow Aussie Adam Scott, and will draw on finishing third here in San Antonio four years ago behind Scott.
“I am certainly thinking about the Masters because I want to be there,” he said.
“I don’t want to miss the Masters and I know if I play well and get it done this week then I’m heading to Augusta so there’s no point in hiding from it.”
