Relaxed Harrington stresses the positives
Not even Tiger Woods, with four Masters victories, can match Harrington’s effort of capturing three Majors since winning the 2007 British Open at Carnoustie.
Harrington arrived into Augusta mid-afternoon on Sunday and then after settling his family into their rented house for the week, he and caddy Ronan Flood made their way to the course where he spent 90 minutes on the practice green.
He drove back down Magnolia Lane just after noon yesterday and was clearly in a positive frame of mind, talking to a handful of journalists in the ‘Competitors’ Car Park’ while all the while swinging a wedge.
Harrington’s best finish in the Majors was fifth place in both in 2002 and 2008 but while he eyes four 66s in 40 rounds of the Georgia golfing gem, Harrington has only broken 70 four times with his lowest round being a pair of 68s.
It prompted Harrington being asked if he would be disappointed to end his career not having won a Masters.
“Of course, I would love to win a Masters,” he said.
“The Masters is a tremendous examination and the reason for that is that it is harder to win on this golf course. I have come close in US Opens and I have won the other two.
“It’s a tough track, it really is. Your distance control has to be really good and you have to putt and chip and drive it really well. But there is nothing I can do about …. It’s not like I can turn up and wave a magic wand to say that I am going to win.
“I can only just play my game and do my thing and if happens, it happens. So as dearly as I would love to win a Masters, I am not going to regret it when I am 70 years of age.”
“I’ve won three Majors so I’ve already over-achieved, so I am not going to be disappointed if I don’t win more…I’m in a great position, and I don’t have anything to prove.”
Meanwhile Tiger Woods entered into the spirit of Monday at the Masters — but he will hope to be more successful when the tournament starts.
The opening major of the golf season is full of its own traditions. The players are also encouraged by the crowd to try to hit the green at the short 16th not by normal means, but by skimming balls across the lake.
Woods and 1998 champion Mark O’Meara were amongst the first to try, but they both failed to make it back onto dry land and decided not to give it another go.
However, Germany’s Martin Kaymer gave the fans what they really came to see when his skimmed shot at the 16th not just ended on the green, but in the hole.
He will be hoping it is a sign of things to come. On four previous trips to the Masters, Kaymer has missed the cut every time – and crashed out last year as world number one.
Woods did not stop to speak to waiting media — his formal press conference is today.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
