Padraig Harrington and Ronan Flood at Augusta
Padraig Harrington is a three-time major winner but has yet to wear the famous green jacket, his best result so far seeing him twice finish in a tie for fifth, with last year being less kind as Harrington missed the cut.
However the 39-year-old feels his game is in good shape heading into the 2011 edition of the tournament and is aiming to be in contention heading into the back nine on Sunday as he chases what he feels would be a "very special" triumph.
"It's a spectacular golf course, (it's) very intimidating If you can win around Augusta you can win around anywhere. It's pretty much the ultimate test of golf.
"It would be very special to win there. It doesn't have to be this year, though. We will just have to wait and see.
"I'm very happy with my preparations so far, (I'm) very comfortable with my game.
"Hopefully I can produce a solid performance over the first three-and-a-half days and then a spectacular last nine holes."
Harrington was speaking on Wednesday at Stackstown Golf Club where he officially opened the “Harrington Room.” aimed at honouring the remarkable achievements of Ireland’s greatest golfer.
The conference room which has been transformed into an Aladin’s Cave of golfing memorabilia, covering all the key aspects of the player’s career. There is a display cabinet representing his amateur days and another cabinet dealing specifically with three Walker Cup appearances including a significant role in the 1995 victory at Royal Porthcawl.
Further along, a special cabinet contains mementos from Padraig's World Cup victory with Paul McGinley at Kiawah Island in 1997 and six Ryder Cup appearances, dominated by the record-breaking triumph at Oakland Hills in 2004. Then, an alcove is devoted to his three major championship victories containing replicas of Claret Jug & PGA Trophy before moving on to the final cabinet marking regular tournament wins on five continents.
From his childhood years, Stackstown GC has played a huge part in Padraig’s life. An early memory is of an occasion when sharp, autumn winds swept down from the Dublin Mountains on the 700 spectators gathered for the official opening of the club.
It was September 1983 and an eager, young face in the crowd was that of a 12-year-old lad with a shock of black hair. By his own admission, he had little interest in legendary golfing figures, Christy O'Connor Snr and Peter Thomson, plying their craft for the pleasure of the assembled throng. He was captivated simply by the excitement of the occasion.
Almost 25 years later, as the reigning Open champion, Padraig was presented with the Association of Golf Writers Trophy by Thomson at Royal Birkdale, prior to his successful defence of the Open.
