It took Harrington from three behind to eight adrift and when another double bogey came two holes later it looked like being a horror story.

The 32-year-old Irishman is nothing if not a fighter, however, and an eagle and five birdies enabled him to maintain his high spirits heading across Georgia, even if it did not enable him to record his first US Tour victory.

“This was a good week for Augusta – without a doubt,” commented Harrington.

“I just hit four wrong clubs. It was difficult in the wind – all through the round there was a lot of doubt.

“I’m playing well and I’m not looking for my swing. Maybe there’s some advantage in having played in these conditions, but I’d prefer it to be less stressful.”

On recent form, the Ryder Cup star is certainly Europe’s main hope to end a barren spell in the majors which stretches back to Paul Lawrie’s 1999 British Open win at Carnoustie.

“Obviously my form is good going into it,” he says. “Hopefully I can give myself some sort of chance.

“There’s a huge amount of experience involved in majors – of the tournament itself, of all the majors and of the golf course that you’re on.

“I think you’ve got to realise that you’ve got to play them and be in contention, and be under that pressure a few times before it really happens.”

Ben Curtis, of course, won his very first major at the British Open last year and Shaun Micheel was competing in only his third at the US PGA championship last August.

But if most have to serve an apprenticeship, then Harrington would appear to have served his.

This will be his fifth Masters and 24th major. And while he feels there is a gulf between top three Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els and the rest in terms of ability, he considers himself to be developing more and more skills.