Master Harrington Travels Lighter

Padraig Harrington said in January that he expected to win more majors and after The Masters he is even more convinced - despite arriving in the shadow of fellow Irish major winners US Open Champion Rory McIlroy; Open Champion Darren Clarke and 2009 US Open winner, Graeme McDowell.   

It was not looking good for the first European to win back-to-back Open titles since 1906 when he slumped all the way to 96th in the world. But after an eighth place finish in The Masters - his best performance in a major since he won the USPGA four years ago - Harrington is up to 80th and hoping it is just the start of a big comeback.

Even double-bogeying the last did not change things in his mind, even as his chance of victory had gone by then. 

'I was very composed and relaxed,' said the 40-year-old Dubliner. 'Doubling the last cost me money, but nothing else. 

'Maybe one day coming down 18 I will have to hole that putt that I three-putted and I will know it is quick. 

"I was on an even keel all day - there were no highs or lows in my round at all. 

'I'd be happy if I was like that every Sunday at a major because you are going to win plenty playing golf like that. 

'I feel like I was in a very comfortable place. I haven't been putting well and I putted really well. 

'I am going to take a lot of comfort away from this - there were a lot of good things. I was very comfortable on the golf course this week, which bodes well for future Masters. 

'I feel like I found a very nice place mentally. There's good things in me going forward.

'I've won three majors, but that's the most comfortable I've felt through 18 holes in the last round of a major. 

'I feel I'm on an upswing, an upturn in my game. So yeah, I'm looking forward to going forward.'

For Harrington watchers the signs had been coming, as in February he came seventh at Pebble Beach and last month he began the Transitions Championship in Florida with a 61 - the lowest round of his career. 

This week Padraig is staying on in the United States for the PFA Tour event at Hilton Head in South Carolina. The world No 1 Luke Donald is the only member of the world's top 10 in the field and it is a golden opportunity to make further progress. 

And not just up the world rankings, but up the Ryder Cup points table too. 

Harrington is only 30th on the European Tour list and 26th on the world points list. The top five in each qualify automatically for Jose Maria Olazabal's side at the end of August and he then adds two wild cards. 

The Irishman received one of those from Colin Montgomerie two years ago, but knows that competition is going to be even tougher this time. 

As things stand, Ian Poulter - seventh at Augusta - Paul Casey, Simon Dyson, Martin Laird, Thomas Bjorn and Miguel Angel Jimenez are also among those outside the top 10. 

McIlroy Boosts Blu Diamond

Photo: Sportsfile

Despite a poor Masters at the weekend, Rory McIlroy kept his eye on close friend Harry Diamond at County Sligo Golf Club via a text message, saying: "Get your name on the board alongside the good players."

A few hours later, 27-year-old Belfast-born Diamond had duly obliged by claiming the Radisson Blu West of Ireland title for his first GUI 'Major' title.

The Belvoir Park member now joins an illustrious list of West winners that includes two-time champion McIlroy.

Diamond had to chisel out a hard-earned victory in the final by one hole against surprise packet Stephen Healy of Claremorris, but they all count -- and Rory was due to receive a return text.

"At least I'm one up on him this year. I've got one Major, he hasn't got any this year yet, so I'll slag him about that. Hopefully I'll go out and see him in a few weeks," said a smiling Diamond.

This has been a tough campaign since Friday. The weather at Rosses Point has featured rain, hail, wind and chilly temperatures, so the two men left standing in the final had to call on all their reserves of energy for the final 18 holes.

Diamond had beaten his good friend Simon Ward of County Louth by one hole in the morning semi-finals, while 22-year-old Healy ousted Sligo-born Rory McNamara (Headfort) on a 2&1 verdict.

"I'm just relieved to have got through. I've been coming here since I was 17. I missed a couple of years when I went to the Masters, but I've probably played eight times at the West," said Diamond.

"I don't think I've ever missed the cut, but I went four or five years getting beaten in the first round. Now I've finally got this trophy. It's great."

Healy has surpassed expectations as he only came back to serious golf this year.

The former Irish Boys champion admitted he had become disillusioned with the sport over the period of a golf scholarship at Jacksonville University.

"I got a degree in accounting, but by the time I graduated last May, I was fed up with golf. I just didn't like it any more," he said.

"I had a good job over there in the States but my dad convinced me to come home and try the golf one more year."

Healy has been working on his game with Brendan McDaid, and suffice it to say he made quite an impression over the last five days.

The final was no classic, but it was tense and poised on a knife edge, particularly over the last two holes.

Healy, who had a habit of fast starts, was two up after six holes, but three-putted the seventh to throw Diamond a lifeline.

"That was a big turning point. I was two down and I felt very tired. I was trying to find something in my swing but then he three-putted seven, and I won eight and nine," said Diamond.

The Belvoir man made a hash of the 10th, where he duffed a chip to lose his one-hole advantage, and they halved 11 in par. Then Diamond hit the green of the par-five 12th in three, and Healy had to concede the hole after finding trouble in the rough where he incurred a penalty shot.

The next big move came at the 418-yard par-four 14th, where Diamond was through the green in two, and took three to get down while Healy got his par.

On the par-three 16th Healy missed the green right, and failed to get up and down while Diamond nailed a par to go one-up again. The Ulster player then protected his lead with long-range putts to set up saving pars on 17 and 18 which clinched the title.

Source: Irish Independent