Padraig Harrington
Padraig Harrington travels back to the USA this week for his sixth Shell Houston Open which will be the final event before the Masters next week in Augusta - in what forms part of the Dubliner's traditional preparations for Georgia - by playing at the Redstone Golf Club Tournament Course in Humble, Texas.
Last year Harrington opened with two rounds of 69 but finished with a final day 77 that dropped him down the field to 45th place and eleven strokes behind the winner, Anthony Kim
Former champion Fred Couples, Matt Kuchar, Ernie Els and Robert Karlsson of Sweden are the latest additions to the world class field of the $5.9 million Shell Houston Open.
Couples, a regular on the Champions Tour, is making his 19th start in the Shell Houston Open, where he won in 2003, and became the first University of Houston golfer to claim a title at Houston’s PGA TOUR event.
The fast and firm setup at Redstone Golf Club – Tournament Course the last four years has proved especially appealing for competitors headed to Augusta National the following week.
Mickelson, the defending Masters champion, has played here four straight years.
Retief Goosen, who had heard about the superb course conditions, will be making his first start.
The 2011 Shell Houston Open will include 12 former Major Championship winners on the commitment list.
Back on the east coast Tiger Woods will use this week for some added practice at Augusta National.
