By Phil Casey, PA Sport, Augusta

Ireland's Padraig Harrington will have to end 43 years of history as well as Tiger Woods' quest for an unprecedented third straight victory to win the Masters this week.

Harrington and David Toms were yesterday declared joint winners of the traditional pre-tournament par-three competition, which was not completed because of yet more heavy rain.

However, since it started in 1960, no player has ever won the par-three contest and the Masters in the same year, Raymond Floyd coming closest in 1990 when he was denied a second green jacket in a play-off with Nick Faldo.

Harrington and Toms had both played the nine holes in 21 shots, six under par, to finish two ahead of Len Mattiace, Mark O'Meara and John Cook.

Colin Montgomerie and Justin Rose were both a shot further back on three under, while Tiger Woods was probably pleased not to be in the running at one under as he prepares to create another piece of golfing history.

Davis Love recorded the only hole-in-one on the 55-yard second hole, while Sergio Garcia enlisted the help of a young girl from the crowd to hole a 30-foot birdie putt on the ninth.

Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer played together to the delight of the crowds, although 73-year-old Palmer struggled badly and is certain to do so in the tournament proper today as he makes his 49th consecutive appearance.

Palmer found the water off the tee on the sixth hole and had to be coaxed into playing another ball, first asking his caddie if they had enough balls, and then asking Nicklaus if he would lend him one.