Harrington not a believer in Par 3 jinx

Pádraig Harrington is having none of that statistic that winning the Par 3 Contest on the eve of the Masters precludes a golfer from winning the main event.

Harrington shared top spot with Jonathan Byrd on Wednesday and then went out and shot his best round in four years at Augusta National, a one-under 71.

And despite other players reputedly doing their best not to win the Par 3 for fear of jinxing their chances, Harrington said: “I’ve never teed up and played a tournament where I didn’t try on every shot, so I wouldn’t play if I wasn’t trying. I like winning.”

Harrington was as surprised to learn of odds on him winning the Par 3 being offered at 40-1.

“Obviously, as a player, I’m not allowed to gamble in any shape or form but that was the best bet I’ve ever heard.”

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Harrington had quite the gallery following his progress during the opening round, Aside from the usual sprinkling of GAA jerseys and Celtic tops mingling amongst the American patrons, the three-time major champion was watched every step of the way by Irish tycoons JP McManus and Dermot Desmond as well as Tipperary hurling legend Nicky English.

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Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal wasted no time in telling Paul Lawrie he was in his thoughts for this September’s duel with the United States at Medinah following the Scot’s opening three-under 69.

Lawrie, the 1999 Open champion, continued a career resurgence that began with Qatar Masters victory earlier this year when he eagled the 13th and 15th holes at Augusta National on the way to breaking 70 for the first time here in 15 rounds.

Olazabal knew all about it as he was playing one group ahead of the 43-year-old in the second group out.

“I said to him that, you know, if he keeps on playing the way he has the last since the end of last year, you know, he’s got a great chance.

“I played The Ryder Cup against guys that were 50 years old, and they actually kicked my ass. I’ve learned that lesson in golf.”

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A programme for the first ever Masters Tournament at Augusta could fetch as much as €10,000 when it is sold next month.

The booklet, which includes a plan of the course and each hole from the 1934 competition, is part of a collection of golf memorabilia which is expected to sell up to €2.5 million at auction.

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US President Barack Obama believes women should be allowed to join the all-male Augusta National Golf Club, the White House said on last night, adding pressure on the exclusive 80-year-old organisation to change its restrictive policy.

“His personal opinion is that women should be admitted,” White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters, saying he had spoken to Obama about the issue. “We are kind of long past the time when women should be excluded from anything.”

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World number one Luke Donald donned a Rory McIlroy wig during a pre-Masters awards speech he turned into a comedy routine.

Despite finishing top of the money lists on both the European Tour and the US PGA Tour last year, the Englishman is rarely the centre of attention for the US media and often has poorly attended press conferences.

After taking to the podium and receiving his award for the male player of the year, he said: “It feels strange to be in a full room.” Donald then put on a black, curly haired wig, in clear reference to McIlroy and asked the assembled American golf press “Does that feel better?”