The final round of the US Masters got underway at Augusta National and one of the early starters, Padraig Harrington, is making all the right moves to sign off his 2001 campaign in real style.
Having started the day on level par after yesterday’s round of 72, the Dubliner is four-under for today’s round after birdies at the opening two holes, a third at the par four fifth and another at the seventh.
Harrington is too far back to seriously contend but his progress will do no harm for Ryder Cup and Order of Merit standings.
Harrington has moved up to a tie for 24th and should he finish in the top 16 it would also guarantee the 29-year-old an invite to Augusta again next April.
Mark O’Meara is the only other player of the early starters to equal the efforts of the Dubliner.The 1998 Masters champion made a birdie, eagle, birdie start to get to four-underafter the first four holes.Two more pars have moved O’Meara into a tie for 17th on five-under.
The world number one and two, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, do not commence battle in the final group until19:55 Irish time.