Padraig Harrington strongly insisted he is not prepared to travel to Augusta for next Wednesday’s Par Three Contest unless he captures this week’s Shell Houston Open.
Harrington kept alive hopes of extending an unbroken 14-year Masters appearance with a three under par 69 in overcast conditions on day one of the $US 6.2m event in Texas.
It left the triple Major Champion trailing three strokes behind the clubhouse leading American trio of Keegan Bradley, J B Holmes and Matt Kuchar.
Five-time Major winner Phil Mickelson showed signs he had recovered from an oblique muscle strain in his back with a four-under par 68.
Harrington is among 46 players in this week’s 144 strong field needing to win this week to secure the last remaining invitation into the Masters.
Padraig Harrington with his son in the 2010 Master Par-3 Contest.
All past Masters competitors are eligible to compete in the Masters Par Three Contest whether or not they have qualified for the year’s first Major Championship.
And in anticipation Harrington will go to Augusta officials have grouped him for the Wednesday afternoon golfing frolic with fellow former PGA champion David Toms and Jonathon Byrd.
“I’ve spent four weeks over here trying to qualify for the Masters, so I am sure not to be going to Augusta just to play the Par Three Contest,” said Harrington.
Harrington’s opening round, after missing the cut in last week’s Valero Texas Open and shooting an 80 on the final day of the previous week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, was a mix of six birdies and half as many bogeys.
“The round itself was okay but I should have scored better as I had birdie chances at nearly every hole and felt I should have finished six or seven under,” he said.
“Everyone has been making out this is a big week for me but then the past few weeks have been big weeks for me.
“Yes, there is a bit of an inevitability about this week but that’s all that changed.
“But while I know it is my last chance to get into the Masters I am not trying to do anything different, and it’s not like I have a secret for good golf to keep for a week like this.
“And a three under par start is always okay but what I am ruing is that it could have been easily six or seven under par and I would be in a better position going forward.
Padraig Harrington during his opening round of 69 of 2014 Shell Houston Open. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
“So I haven’t done any damage but then it’s not where I feel I should have been.”
There has been suggestions Augusta National should have afforded Harrington a ‘Special Invitation’ given his contribution the game and the length of his Masters appearances.
However the 42-year old responded: “I was hoping sometimes when you win two Majors in the one year as I did in 2008, you might get an extra year’s exemption (smiling).
“So I would have received six years instead of five.
“But seriously it is what it is and of course, I would love to be in the Masters and it’s not like I haven’t been trying.
“However if I was to receive a ‘Special Invitation’ I wouldn’t feel like I didn’t deserve it and the fact that I haven’t received an invitation, I don’t feel like I would have deserved it either.
“There is a qualifying system and that’s it. I just haven’t made it through on that but sure, if you were to receive a ‘Special Invitation’ you wouldn’t turn it down.”
FOOTNOTE –
Harrington’s grouping with Byrd is bizarre as two years ago the pair tied as joint Par 3 champions at 5 under when rain washed out play leaving many not completing play.
However finishing first is an honor most golfers might rather avoid, considering no Par 3 champion has ever gone on to capture the green jacket.
It was only the second time since the Par 3 began in 1960 that there were dual winners because of suspension.
And who was the previous winner and that was inn 2003 – Harrington, who would miss the cut for the first time at Augusta National two days later.
Harrington also won the 2004 Par 3 but then went on to tie for 13th in the Masters.
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