Harrington's 68 puts him in contention for first Masters green jacket

Padraig Harrington was all but forgotten as a Masters contender after his bogey on the par-4 11th put him at 1-over for the tournament and well behind Saturday’s leaders.

The man who has won more majors than any other golfer in the past five years wasn’t finished with his third round at Augusta National Golf Club, however.

Harrington rattled off five birdies over the final six holes to finish with a 4-under 68 and put him in contention heading into Sunday at his 13th Masters.

“When things are going for you, you’ve got to make those birdies. That’s very much what Augusta’s like,” the 40-year-old Irishman said. “When things are going, take your chances.”

Harrington attacked the final six holes as if his chance at a first green jacket depended on it, which it did. His first two rounds of 71-73 put him in a tie for 24th and five strokes off the lead heading into Saturday. A third-round 68 – tied for his best effort at Augusta in 41 rounds – kept him on pace with the leaders.

Harrington has been around long enough to know that recent 54-hole leaders haven’t fared well Sunday afternoons at Augusta. Rory McIlroy blew a four-stroke lead early in his fourth round a year ago. Lee Westwood lost his Saturday lead to Phil Mickelson in 2010.

“It’s easier to hold a lead on a difficult course – a golf course that par is a good score,” he said. “Par is not a good score all the time at Augusta. You’ve got to make some birdies out there. … It’s not the player that plays the most consistent that wins at the Masters. The player who plays probably some of the most exciting golf wins at the Masters.”

Harrington has been more consistent than exciting this week, posting just four birdies and one eagle before rattling off seven birdies Saturday.

His experience in majors, including back-to-back British Open wins in 2007 and 2008, followed by a PGA Championship, may help him Sunday. At the very least, Harrington thinks his past successes will help take the pressure off.

“I don’t need to go out there and prove anything tomorrow. I’m in a great position in that sense,” he said. “I’ve won three majors. I’m going to win more majors, so I don’t have to do it tomorrow. That’s not my one and only chance going forward.”

His walk up the 18th fairway Saturday was a positive experience after knocking a 6-iron approach to the back of the green, setting up yet another birdie for a 32 on the second nine – a score topped only by leaders Peter Hanson (31) and Phil Mickelson (30).