AS HE exited down Magnolia Lane in his Mercedes SUV on Sunday evening, it’s very likely Pádraig Harrington allowed himself a self-congratulatory nod of reassurance. If the putter stayed frustratingly cold in his final round, the 40-year-old Dubliner could at least reflect on his best finish in a Major – tied-eighth behind Bubba Watson – since his 2008 win in the USPGA Championship.
Normally, a player would mark down a win, be it in a regular tour event or a Major, as a defining moment. For Harrington, though, his return to the cauldron on a Masters Sunday offered indications he has made a turning point in where he is headed.
“I actually do think this is a watershed week. Not physically. I didn’t hit the ball as well as I had in recent weeks, was nowhere near the same form. But I was much better mentally than I have been for a long time. Much sharper in my short game . . . and I could be in a very good place for the rest of the year,” said Harrington, who moved up to 80th in the latest world rankings.
He elaborated: “Over the years, I’ve probably had several occasions in my career where I’ve been working on things and then come out of that phase. Normally, though, it starts with a win and not eighth place in a Major, so I’m still looking for that win . . . (given the number of birdie chances) I definitely think I could easily have got to 10-under-par but, hey, I didn’t. I’m not worried about that. I don’t have to prove anything. My week will come. I’ve got three more of these this year.”
As if to show there are always new horizons, Harrington – who has been a pro since 1995 – will make a first appearance in the Heritage Classic at Hilton Head on the US Tour this week. He is the only Irish player in a field where Brandt Snedeker defends his title and world number one Luke Donald seeks to put further daylight between himself and number two Rory McIlroy.
After a disappointing Masters weekend, McIlroy, for his part, has taken a two-week break – taking time out to visit his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki who is playing a tournament in her native Denmark – and won’t return to action until the Wells Fargo tournament at Quail Hollow.
Graeme McDowell, who improved over the weekend to finish in tied-12th at the Masters, is due to resume play at the New Orleans Classic in two weeks’ time.
