Impressive win for Harrington in Match Play Championship

Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie and Sergio Garcia posted emphatic victories as the European contingent shone in the first round at the Accenture Match Play Championship today.

Harrington built a big lead with six birdies in the first 12 holes against American Jerry Kelly, the Open champion subsequently closing it out for a four-and-three victory at Dove Mountain, another confidence-boosting performance as he works his way back to form.

“I got the start I wanted (two-up after four holes) and from there on I felt solid and kept moving forward,” said the Irishman, who recently suffered a bout of flu, as well as a minor case of shingles.

“Jerry obviously had to go after the pins and was under more pressure in that sense. That really made all the difference, the putting.

“I don’t believe I am quite on the top of my game. I’m not feeling as comfortable as I could when I’m on the course.

“I’m working hard for everything I’m getting. I’m still a little bit uncompetitive, a bit rusty (but) I’m happy with the form I showed today.”

Montgomerie, meanwhile, did not look like the lowly 59th seed as he beat highly-rated American Jim Furyk three and two.

Spaniard Garcia, out in the day’s first match, took an early lead and was never seriously threatened as he cruised to a three-and-two victory over Australian John Senden on a cool morning.

Carrying two putters in his bag as a “safety net”, Garcia used a short putter for the first 14 holes, before dusting off the longer ’belly’ putter for the final two holes.

“I made a decision early on and went with (the short putter) for pretty much the whole round,” the Spaniard said.

“But then I started not feeling as comfortable, and hit a couple of not-very-good putts, so I decided to go the safe route the last couple of holes.”

Explaining his decision to carry two putters, and leave a three-iron out of his bag, Garcia continued: “You can call it a safety net, just in case I didn’t feel quite as comfortable.

“At the end of the day, I liked the things we worked on with my putting yesterday, but I still have a little work to do. The putting green is different to when you’re out there in the heat of battle and the pressure is on.”

Garcia has a lacklustre record in this World Golf Championship event, never advancing past the third round in six attempts, but he is hoping for better things this year.

“I feel I should have done better (in the past), but it’s a funny format,” he said.

Thirty-two matches were scheduled today at Dove Mountain, located at 3,000 feet elevation in the hills overlooking Tucson.