Padraig Harrington insisted he would be trying his hardest at Augusta this afternoon. But the same could not be said of every player at the Masters.

The first major of the year, of course, does not start until tomorrow. But first there was the tournament before the tournament. It is the nine-hole par-three competition. The one that carries the jinx.

First played in 1960 and won that year by Sam Snead with a four-under-par 23, nobody has ever gone on to lift the Masters title four days later.

Harrington, though, is determined to take the par-three crown for a record third time - and to break the hoodoo, of course.

"I will definitely be trying to win it," said the Dubliner, who tied with David Toms in 2003 when no play-off was possible because of rain and then won again 12 months later after a play-off against Eduardo Romero.

Tiger Woods tied that year, but did not show for the play-off because of a prior arrangement. Or was it because he did not want to win?

The best that any par-three champion has done in the Masters was second, Raymond Floyd losing a play-off to Nick Faldo in 1990 and Chip Beck being beaten only by Bernhard Langer in 1993.

For most of the field it is a fun way to relax on the eve of the main event. Many have one of their children acting as caddie. Comedian Max Boyce did it for Ian Woosnam once.

The holes measure between 70 and 140 yards and are laid out over the other side of the trees left of Augusta National's 10th hole.

Last year every Masters player avoided carrying the jinx. For the first time one of the honorary invitees not competing in the tournament - former US Open champion Jerry Pate - lifted the trophy.