Houston Open:England's Paul Casey took the outright lead towards the latter stages of the Shell Houston Open while Pádraig Harrington's campaign strayed way off course with a final round 77 at Redstone Golf Club in Humble, Texas.
Casey was one-under for his round with four holes to play, and at 12-under, he was in possession of a one shot lead over the big-hitting American JB Homles, who finished 11-under after shooting 69.
British Open and US PGA champion Harrington had moved to within two shots of the early lead with an opening birdie but everything spiralled downwards from there.
The Dubliner recorded five bogeys, one birdie at the 15th, before signing off with a double-bogey six The par-four 18th was playing the most difficult hole on the course at an average of more than five shots and Harrington was one of the many casualties.
He found water off the tee and after chipping from the rough over the green but finished with a broad grin after chipping from the left rough from 36 feet for a double-bogey six to finish four-under 284.
Rory McIlroy moved above his countryman on five-under with a final round 69. The 19-year-old enjoyed four birdies and but also succumbed at the 18th where he dropped his only shot of the day.
Next stop for the two Irishmen is Augusta where the pair will be joined by Graeme McDowell as the trio look forward to competing in the US Masters, the first major of the year.
