Padraig Harrington holds a share of the early lead at the 2022 Masters Tournament after making a strong start to his first round at the Augusta National.
The 50-year-old is making his first appearance at the major since 2015 and was ranked near the bottom of the pack in the pre-tournament betting.
Twice Open Championship winner and one-time US PGA champion, and European Ryder Cup captain, Harrington reeled in the years with a fine opening nine.
Rathfarnham man Harrington teed off just before 2pm Irish time (9am local) and made a blistering start with two birdies through four holes.
He bogeyed the fifth and sixth, however, before birdieing the eighth hole to move to one under par, level with his playing partner Austin Greaser and Harry Higgs.
Harrington’s playing partner, the American amateur Austin Greaser, is making his first appearance at a professional and sits at level par through six.
Shane Lowry teed off after 3.30pm (10.30am) and was level par through two, while Séamus Power (5.54pm) and Rory McIlroy (7.33pm) will tee off later in the day.
Other notable players due out in the evening session are former winners Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson.
