Hat-trick of par three titles for Harrington in lead-up to Masters

FOR the third time in 10 years, Padraig Harrington will have to beat an Augusta jinx to become Masters champion.

The 40-year-old Dubliner became the first player to win a hat-trick of par three titles, although just like his first victory in 2003 he had to share the honour.

The fun event could not be completed because of a thunderstorm, leaving Harrington as joint winner with American Jonathan Byrd after both returned five-under-par scores of 22.

Since the par three event started in 1960, nobody has lifted that crown and then won the event proper as well four days later.

In 2003 Harrington tied with David Toms, but bad weather prevented a play-off then as well. Twelve months later he beat Argentina’s Eduardo Romero in sudden death.

Last year’s Wednesday champion, Luke Donald, did not even take part this time because he wanted to focus on the main event, while Open champion Darren Clarke was another non-participant because he wanted to rest a sore groin.