McGinley tips Harrington for Masters class

Paul McGinley is backing Padraig Harrington to put on a golfing master class at Augusta.

But fellow Ryder Cup star Darren Clarke likes the chances of pal Lee Westwood.

Dubliner Harrington will be the only Irishman teeing it up at Augusta this week with Clarke and McGinley watching on TV after a slump in form.

But after seeing Harrington lift the Open last year, McGinley wouldn't be surprised to see him capture his second major.

McGinley said: "Padraig is a real world class player and has been for a long time now.

"He's always been a player to watch in the majors but he's got all the confidence in the world now after Carnoustie.

"Winning the Open was a huge boost for him and he's shown at Augusta that he has the game to win there."

Clarke is missing Augusta for the first time since he made his debut there 10 years ago.

He's set to punish himself for missing out by watching every shot on TV and insisted that stablemate Westwood could become the first British winner since Nick Faldo in 1996.

Clarke said: "Lee is playing fantastic golf at the moment. Tiger is always the man to beat but I think this could be Lee's year."