Harrington doesn't believe in Par-3 curse

The Masters awards a pair of crystal goblets for eagles and a crystal bowl for its Par-3 Contest champ.

Padraig Harrington had both by the time he walked off the No. 2 green with an eagle 3 in Thursday’s opening round of the 2012 Masters.

Co-champ of Wednesday’s Par-3 event, Harrington had an eagle, two birdies and three bogeys for 1-under 71 Thursday.

“71’s always a decent start in a major,” said Harrington, winner of three majors. He has three top-10 finishes in a dozen Masters and has missed the cut here the past two years.

“I’m comfortable enough making a 71 today, more pleased after seeing that so far, no one’s burning it up out there,” he said. “My putting is what I’m most pleased with today; it looks like I’ve turned the corner a bit there. Hopefully I can put the two parts of my game together now in the next three days.”

The eagle on Pink Dogwood came afer Harrington hit a 5-iron from 225 yards to nine feet.

“That was something in the bank early,” Harrington said. “I always felt after that that I’d never be over (par) the rest of the day.”

He bogeyed 4, 7 and 11, but made birdie at 8. After a 5-wood to 18 feet, he just missed an eagle 3 on 15.

“That was the only putt today that I got a little frustrated with,” he said. “My whole games needs to come together a little, but I’m in a nice position for the next three days.”

His chance for a save from the fairway bunker on 18 turned left at the hole. Playing partners Steve Stricker and Stewart Cink also just missed birdie putts on 18 and finished with 71s.

No one has won the Masters the same year as winning the Par-3.

“If I win the (Par-3) tournament, that means I don’t believe in (the curse),” Harrington said with a smile. “And I won it.

I try to win every time I play. I like winning.”