Harrington may yet prove to be 'the man'

GOLF: Having spoken to Roger Mullarkey in recent weeks, we at Golf Masters HQ know him to be a sporting man, one who would never choke on his breakfast cereal upon reading that one of Pat Callanan's big guns has declared himself fit and raring to go for the final fortnight of the 2002 Golf Masters.

We are convinced, then, that when he read "Padraig Harrington received a boost when he was informed that the scan on his ankle injury which has troubled him for almost a month revealed nothing more serious than inflamed ligaments. He is amongst those travelling (to the German Masters)" in his newspaper the other day he said: "Tremendous".

Still, though, we couldn't help but recall Roger's words to us last week when we heard this good news: "I think Padraig Harrington might be the key player for Pat . . . if he recovers from his various injuries and plays again in the next three weeks he might do enough to keep Pat ahead."

This week will be the first test of Roger's "Harrington Theory". His leaders, Razor Sharp, have three players in action (Jarrod Moseley and Thomas Bjorn at the German Masters and Robert Allenby at the Pennsylvania Classic), the same number as Pat's week 27 representatives: Bradley Dredge, Eduardo Romero and . . . Harrington are all in the field in Germany.

Next week? If Harrington is feeling hale and hearty - and proves it at Mount Juliet - Roger and Pat are in for a stomach-churning conclusion to this year's competition. Our thoughts are with ye, men.