Masters magic for Pádraig Harrington

Few people believe that Pádraig Harrington can win a fourth major but averaging 25 putts per day and shooting the lowest winning aggregate of his 21-year professional career to claim the Portugal Masters, writing him off now would be the height of folly.

The 45-year old Dubliner insisted just minutes after the Ryder Cup ended three weeks ago that he wants to play in 2018 in Paris rather than captain Europe.

He clearly has unfinished business on tour and after a six under par 65 that featured a devastating display of short-game brilliance and an eye-popping performance with the putter, it may be a while before he’s ready to hang up his spikes and reach for the keys to the captain’s buggy.