Masters boost for Harrington

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON headed for Augusta last night in his newly acquired private plane much encouraged by a top ten finish in the Shell Houston Open.

Harrington, 40 in August, added a 70 to earlier rounds of 68, 69 and 70 for an 11 under par total of 279 that put him into a share of 8th place, nine shots behind the winner, Phil Mickelson, who closed with a seven under par 65 for a 20 under par total of 268.

Mickeson finished three shots clear of fellow Americans Scott Verplank and Chris Kirk.