Padraig Harrington has holed some putts in his career but none more pleasing recently than the 50-footer he holed for birdie on the final green to make the third round cut in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Harrington commenced his round from  the 10th tee on the TPC Louisiana course and was even par for his round and two under par in tally in stepping onto the par three ninth tee.

His 5-iron tee shot was long and only just managed to remain on the putting surface.  In doing so it avoided either rolling down the grassy bank at the back of the green or thit could have kicked left and disappeared down the railway sleeper lined bank that supports the raised green and into the alligator-inhabited water hazard.

Harrington knew he needed to sink the putt and as such, surveyed it for some time along with tapping down three spike marks.

Padraig Harrington lines up his 50-foot birdie putt on his 18th green. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

He had arrived in New Orleans working on a new putting alignment and he’s stuck with this throughout the three rounds of the $US 6.8m event.

Harrington put a good stroke on his ball and then raised both arms skyward in delight when it dropped for a round of 71 to move to three under par and inside the top-70 and ties to be cut from the event later today.

“It was a great way to finish and I’m delighted but the longest putt I holed before today this year was 31 feet and it’s why I’m ranked 750th in that particular stat,” he said.

“So whatever the length putt there, it was a long putt.

“I knew standing over the putt I had to hole it to make the third round cut, so it’s great when you see those drop knowing what extra pressure there is to hole it.”

This father and his young son pleased to have seen Harrington birdie the last on day three of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)