Rose can be the Master, says Padraig

The bond that naturally binds them was obvious when, after the customary shaking of hands on the first tee, Justin Rose turned to Padraig Harrington and said: 'Let's see if we can jockey each other along and then, if we are both in contention with four to play, obviously it would get serious.'

As it happens, Harrington fell four from home and Rose at the second-to-last hurdle. But nothing that occured that day undermined their belief that a Green Jacket lies not only within their own compass but also within the other's.

Harrington said: 'When I look at Justin I see a player who has gone from good times to difficult times and back to good, and when that happens it makes a player strong. You could see that in last year's final round when he kept rebounding from mistakes. His biggest strength is that he has a lot of character, and that might be the most important quality of all in a golfer.'

Both have treated the first three months of this year as nothing more than a distraction, clearly awaiting this week. Harrington has changed three of his 14 clubs, specifically with this week's test in mind.

'A lot of my practice is done with the idea that I want to improve my golf swing so I can manage to play Augusta,' said the Open Champion. 'My thought is that if you can hit all the shots at Augusta there is no golf course you can't play.'

In just three Masters appearances Rose has twice been the leader after the first round (2004 and last year), once after 36 holes (three years ago) and was among a clutch of players who held a share of the lead on the final day last year. No wonder he can't wait to get started once more.

'I'm certainly setting out with the belief that I am a contender, for sure,' he said. 'All my experiences here have been powerful ones and I felt comfortable being in the mix on the final holes last year.

'I learned a lot about myself in that final round and the biggest thing I learned was that I was comfortable being in the mix on the closing holes. I enjoyed the buzz, the whole atmosphere.'

Rose limited his practice to nine holes yesterday, walking the back nine armed with just a sand wedge, lob wedge and a putter. 'I walked down to about 50 yards short of each green, imagined the potential pin positions and just played a few shots,' he said.

One shot off the lead standing on the 71st hole last year, Rose lost his chance with a poor drive that led to a costly double bogey. Coupled with a series of other close finishes last year it led to siren voices claiming he was not a 'closer', and never mind that he finished the season as Europe's No 1.

Not surprisingly, it is a charge rejected by Rose's coach, Nick Bradley, who has been so instrumental in his player's resurgence over the last 15 months.

Bradley said: 'I get disappointed with all that "Justin's blown yet another tournament" stuff. He is only 27, which is young for a golfer.

Last year he finished in the top 12 in all four majors and plainly showed Nick Faldo-like potential.

But I don't think that was recognised. We seem to be far more interested in golfers who blow their own trumpet rather than ones who go quietly about their own business.

'I'm convinced Justin's legacy will be as a great ambassador for his sport.'

Anyone who has watched the impeccable manner in which Harrington has dealt with all the hullabaloo that followed his Carnoustie victory would not doubt his ambassadorial suitability.

It's typical of the Irishman that when asked what he enjoys about Augusta he pointed first to the reaction of a couple of friends, here for the first time, who were with him in the courtesy car when they drove through the gates on Tuesday.

'I enjoyed watching them, how excited they got. When you see that it is easy to see how enjoyable a week this is,' he said.

There's a lovely story about the first time Harrington himself entered Magnolia Lane for his debut at the 2000 Masters. His wife, Caroline, was happily chatting away when Harrington gently put his forefinger across his mouth, and said: 'Ssshh. We're here.'

This is his ninth appearance and the magic remains.

'You do have to make sure you don't do too much grinding and let it all pass by you,' he said. 'We're here playing one of the best courses in the world, in the best shape, set up just for us. That can't be too bad, can it?'