Irish trio bow out

GREEN might dominate the landscape at Augusta National but it wasn’t a good omen as Ireland’s trio of hopefuls crashed out of the 74th Masters in bitterly disappointing fashion.

With Pádraig Harrington heading home on five over par after rounds of 74 and 75 and Rory McIlroy two shots worse after a 74-77 return, Irish eyes were focussed on Ulsterman Graeme McDowell.

The Portrush native had fought back brilliantly from a nightmare start to post a opening 75 but after a brilliant two under par front nine left him one stroke inside the projected cut mark, he limped home in four over par 40 for a 74 that left him alongside Harrington on five over par.