Harrington On A High With Second In Biloxi & Heading To Augusta Not To Make-Up Masters Numbers

4 years ago by Comments Off on Harrington On A High With Second In Biloxi & Heading To Augusta Not To Make-Up Masters Numbers

Padraig Harrington is returning to Augusta for the first time in seven years and in the best of form after his share of second place at the Rapiscan’s Systems Classic in Biloxi, Mississippi

Harrington, 50, produced the equal-lowest round over the final day of a seven-under-par 68 and share second place on 12-under with Germany’s Alex Cejka (67) on the host Grand Bear course.

The Irishman’s final day score was only matched by Kiwi Steve Alker who collected a 13th pro career win and his second Champions Tour title since turning 50 last July.

Alker won win an impressive 18-under total over the three days, and like Harrington birdied five of his inward half holes.

Harrington was delighted with his finish ahead of making his way northeast to Augusta National where he earned a 2022 invitation in sharing fourth place in last year’s PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.

“I suppose today was the round I wanted yesterday,” he said. “Steven Alker, he’s really pushed away there. I was hoping going out that I could shoot 8 under par to have — to be close enough.

“I was close enough to second place. So, look, I’m happy with the way I played. I had a good attitude, was always learning, learnt a bit from yesterday. It was a disappointing round yesterday not to shoot 2 or 3 under par, but nice to come back with 7 under today.

“This is only my fourth Champions Tour event. Very suitable golf course for me this week. Some weeks, yeah, the golf courses can be quite claustrophobic in places. It depends on the venue whether you really feel comfortable, so I knew I was comfortable this week”.

Harrington, and long-time caddy Ronan Flood, were arranging to head straight to Augusta for a hopeful all-Ireland four-ball practice round, and the first time back to the hallowed grounds of Augusta National for the 16th occasion since 2000, and after having missed the halfway cut in 2015.

And he has a message for those other 90 Augusta ‘invitees’.

“Yeah, I’m happy to be back at the Masters”, he said.  “I’m not going there to make up the numbers. With my head, I’m going there to play my best golf and compete and try and win, get my head in the right place.

“Physically, I can do it, so it really is just getting your head in the right place

“I’m looking forward to seeing the change in the green on 11. Length-wise they’ve made a couple of changes. Length doesn’t bother anybody on the Tour really. If they put a dip in the right of 11, that’s going to be quite severe and difficult, I’m looking forward to that challenge, but that certainly — that will make that hole tough.”

As well, Harrington is looking forward to catching up with Power, his Ireland team-mate from the 2016 Rio Olympic Games

“Seamus is a great player. The last year has been great for him. He’s believed in himself more, he’s turned that corner, and he’s now very comfortable out there and contending regularly.

“I think it will be a lot to ask in his first major, certainly first Masters to win it, maybe not to contend, but he’s got to think like he can do that. He’s got a good game, it’s just believing you belong.

“And it will be great catching-up as we’re going to have an Irish four-ball, for sure. Maybe more than one day.”

 

 

 



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