Harrington soaks up atmosphere despite washout

PADRAIG HARRINGTON appeared to be totally relaxed and unfazed last night after the first day of the 67th Masters was washed out by the torrential rains that have swept this region of Georgia for the best part of a week.

Back in 1983, the second day of the Masters was washed out without a ball being struck. The tournament, won that year by Severiano Ballesteros, stretched into Monday and there is every chance of that happening again given the saturated nature of the course and the expectation of a lot more rain overnight.

Previous Monday finishes occurred in 1936 when two days were cancelled; and also in 1939, 1961 and 1973. As of now, the plan is to play 36 holes today with two tee starts at 7.30am and 1.30pm

American journalists feel Harrington is being handed an advantage by what they describe as “typical Irish weather” but he was quick to point out: “I ring home every day and my mother tells me she’s been sitting out in the back garden in the sun. Five weeks of sunshine at home and I’ve had three weeks of rain over here.”

He described yesterday’s cancellation as “the only decision that could have been made”.

“The course was right on saturation point yesterday and when it rained heavily in the evening, I knew it couldn’t come back from that. It was playable yesterday but on the borderline.

“The only unfortunate thing was that I had to get out of my bed this morning before finding out.”

The near certainty is the Masters committee will stick with tradition and not allow lift, clean and place to prevail no matter how badly the weather may cut up. Chris DiMarco put it like this: “There would be a woman member here before that happens.”

It’s what Harrington expects.

“That’s the Masters and it’s right,” he declared. “Over the past few years, the golf courses are prepared so well and none more so than Augusta, golfers expect everything to be fair, just and manicured. But that’s not what golf is all about. Golf is meant to be a mental test and a little bit of mud just throws in a complication and it will help to produce a true champion. It’s not just the guy who hits the golf ball the best, it’s the guy who can handle and manage all the situations, both mentally and physically, who will win.

“Everything else is perfect here so it’s just an extra test and it’s a good one, too. I know it’s not fair but who ever said golf was meant to be fair. I’m going to get frustrated, I’m going to hit a couple of mud balls, but I expect everybody else will have the same problems. It’s testing the mental strength to get on with it.

“I think the course is playing as long as when we watched it on TV in the 80s. We all remember Greg Norman missing the 18th green with a four iron, they couldn’t get over the hill at ten and were hitting in woods and long irons. It’s getting like that again.”

Rigidly adhered to fitness and dietary programmes have Harrington in great physical shape and that should be to his advantage through what is certain to be a long, exhausting day. He will be out pretty late so the likelihood is he will still have five or six holes to complete when darkness falls.

“As long as they’re on time by Sunday afternoon, they’ll be happy,” he mused. “Get everybody all set for the back nine on Sunday evening. They won’t have a two tee start on Sunday. They will want the leaders on the back nine. It wouldn’t be the Masters if they didn’t have to play the back nine to win the tournament.”

Harrington is so positive these days he pays little heed to the jinx that is supposed to surround those who win the pre-tournament par three event which he now shares with American David Toms after they tied on six under par on Wednesday evening.

“Nothing would please me more than to win the Par Three and then win the Masters and so end this tradition. Somebody’s got to break that duck some day.

“I consider it one of those things there to be broken and it would be a joy doing it. I already have several Waterford Crystal bowls but this one is nicely engraved and will be welcome in my new home. It’s nice to get my name on the plaque over with some great champions. Ten former Masters champions have won the Par Three.”

That he could shoot six birdies on this far from easy layout suggests Harrington’s short game is in good shape. He has been putting in a lot of work on his pitching and putting and did more yesterday after the cancellation was announced.

“Most winners of the Masters are the guys who take the smallest number of putts. Okay, the winner has to hit it long but the short game has to be there and the head must be in the right place, too. You need everything to win around here.”