Ready for a Masters class

ROLL ON the Masters was the call last night from the two Irishmen, Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke, who will be teeing it up in the first major of the season at Augusta National on Thursday week.

Both go to the land of the azalea, dogwood and magnolia with their games in great shape and their morale high after a series of impressive recent performances.

Harrington tied for second in the Players Championship at the weekend in spite of yet another mini-disaster at the final hole while Clarke held himself together reasonably well to finish in a share of sixth. Harrington has now improved from 10th to 8th in the world rankings, although surprisingly enough, Clarke remains in 23rd spot in spite of doing so well at Sawgrass.