Golf
Associated Press 12y

Storm ends Par 3 contest at Masters

Golf

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- This doesn't bode well for Padraig Harrington.

Rain and lightning washed out the end of the Par 3 tournament at the Masters on Wednesday, leaving Harrington and Jonathan Byrd as the de facto champions at 5 under. It's an honor most golfers might rather avoid, considering no Par 3 champion ever has gone on to capture the green jacket.

It's only the second time since the Par 3 began in 1960 that there were dual winners because of suspension. One of those winners in 2003? None other than Harrington, who would miss the cut for the first time at Augusta National two days later. Harrington also won the next year, and went on to tie for 13th.

"I don't even know if five is going to win," Harrington said when he finished Wednesday. "Normally five is good enough, but it could take six today."

It probably would have. Jerry Pate was at 4 under with four holes left when the contest was halted, and Webb Simpson was at 4 under with a hole to go. Adam Scott also finished at 4 under.

At least Harrington, a three-time major winner, got to spend some quality time with his sons at the family-friendly event. Many players have their kids -- or grandkids, in some cases -- caddie for them, and Harrington had 8-year-old Patrick and 4-year-old Ciaran in tow on Wednesday.

There were two holes-in-one during the Par 3. Mark Wilson made one on No. 4, and Thomas Bjorn had another on No. 9.

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