Padraig Harrington’s dream of continuing an unbroken 14-year appearance at the Masters ended the with triple Major Champion missing the halfway cut in the Shell Houston Open.

Harrington ended his round just after 5.30pm local time with a last hole triple bogey in a round of 79 for a seven over par tally.

And the Irishman refused to blame an injured middle finger on his left hand as the cause is being cut from the $US 6.2m event being staged on the Golf Club of Houston course.

Harrington injured his finger in hitting a deep divot on the 14^th hole but then sought medical treatment on the 15^th tee, and in the process calling through the group behind that included fellow Major Champions Phil Mickelson, Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson.

Harrington was inside the cut-off line at one under par despite a roller-coaster 14 holes that included four birdies but also three bogeys and an eighth hole triple bogey.

Harrington receives treatment on the 15th tee for his injured finger.

He returned after a treatment on his finger to bogey the 15^th and 16^th hole before finding water off the tee at the 18^th and then walking off with a triple bogey.

“I took this pretty deep divot on the 14^th tee but it didn’t start hurting really bad until I was near the green,” he said.

“It was more off-putting than anything else. 

“I then saw the medical fellow on the 15^th tee and he just stretched it out and put some cream on the finger plus he gave me some anti-inflamatories, and everything he could but it just needed time.

“However I am sure I will not even think about it tomorrow as I will have some more physio on it tonight.

“At least now I know where I put the pressure on my golf club when I grip (smiling).

Ever the crowd favourite – Padraig Harrington hands his ball to a youngster despite shooting a 79 to miss the cut and also a first Masters since 2000. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“But I’ve had  a lot of injuries before and injuries that needed treatment out on the golf course but this would be the first time I’ve had this problem with a finger.

“It was not that I was in awesome pain as it more uncomfortable and a distraction more than anything.

“I had been in good form walking onto the 15^th tee having just made a few birdies and inside the cut-off line, so it didn’t do me any favours.

“And while it could now be a convenient excuse, I will not be using it as an excuse as it was just one of those things.”

Missing the cut means Harrington will not head to Augusta National for a first time since making his Masters debut in 2000.

He has played every year since with a best finish of T5th in both 2002 and 2008.

However his five-year exemption in capturing the 2008 PGA Championship ended last year when he missed the cut and now being ranked a lowly 164^th in the World Rankings meant the only means of qualifying for this year’s first Major was to win this week’s Houston event.

And after being asked how disappointed he will be not competing in the Masters, and being at home in Dublin for a first time since 1999, Harrington responded: “Well, we’ll have to find out next week.

“The Masters is still a great tournament and I will watch it on TV.

“It’s disappointing to miss out but I will enjoy watching TV coverage.   These things happen.”

And while all former Masters participant’s are invited to partake in Wednesday’s Par Three Contest Harrington insisted he will not travel to Augusta to tee-up in the nine hole event.

“I’m not going to go to Augusta just to play in the Par Three Contest as I have more important goals than that,” he said.

 Harrington was asked when he is next schedule to compete but was unclear when that would be.

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