Luke Donald and not Rory McIlroy will likely go to Augusta as world No 1 after the Englishman pulled off an impressive sudden-death victory at the Transitions Championship near Tampa.

“Well, I enjoyed it while it lasted,” McIlroy tweeted. “Congrats Luke, an impressive performance!”

Padraig Harrington had little to celebrate on St Patrick’s Day until he birdied the last to card a one over par 72 and keep his victory hopes on life support at the Transitions Championship in Tampa.

The Dubliner was three clear of the field after his sensational 10 under 61 on Thursday but despite a second round 73 and another over par round yesterday, he is still just four strokes behind leaders Retief Goosen and Jim Furyk at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook.

Padraig Harrington crashed back to planet earth in the Transitions Championship on Friday when he followed his career best 61 with a one-over 73 that betrayed some worrying frailty on the greens.

The eyes have it. Padraig Harrington en route to his 61 in Tampa on Thursday.Padraig Harrington has made a career out of turning what have looked like certain defeats in glorious victories - and vice-versa. He calls them the twin imposters of success and failure.

Yet even by his own wild and wonderful standards, following a 79 in his last outing in the Honda Classic with a 10 under par, course record 61 in the Transitions Championship in Tampa was a mighty leap, even for the true believers.

Padraig Harrington believes golfing form can come all at one, like buses. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieFrustrated Padraig Harrington wishes he was “young and fearless” like Rory McIlroy. But he’s praying that his massive slump will end soon and that he doesn’t miss the bus in his golfing career - as predicted by sacked coach Bob Torrance.

Justin Rose in action in Tucson last month. Photo Eoin Clarke/golffile.ieJustin Rose insists that winning his third PGA Tour event inside 10 months is only secondary in importance to his bid to prepare perfectly for a run at Masters glory next month.

Sergio Garcia is in the mix in Tampa. Picture Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie from Dubai Desert ClassicOne of the them got stung by a bee, shot 66 and lies just a stroke behind a pair of surprise joint leaders at the Transitions Championship in Tampa.

The other had 33 putts and shot 70 but still missed the cut by two shots in his penultimate event before the Masters.

The man smiling at the end of the day was Sergio Garcia, not Padraig Harrington, who must now be wondering what he has to do to string four consistent tournament rounds together.

Padraig Harrington faces an uphill battle to make the cut after three dropped shots in his last six holes left him nine strokes adrift of playing partner Paul Casey at the Transitions Championship in Tampa.

Peaking at the right time is what separates the champions from the also rans and Padraig Harrington will be happy he’s still got the Shell Houston Open to play as he counts down to the Masters.

Padraig Harrington lost his touch on the greens to trail leader Jim Furyk by four shots entering the final round of the Transitions Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Tampa.

Padraig Harrington didn’t get to shake hands with Barack Obama on Wednesday night but the US President indirectly helped the Dubliner grab the halfway lead in the Transitions Championship in Tampa.

Padraig Harrington will join Taoiseach Brian Cowen for the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations at the White House.