Pate takes the plaudits (Getty Images).

Padraig Harrington failed in his bid to win a record third successive par-three title on the eve of the Masters today.

And those who have backed him to capture his first major title on Sunday will be mightily relieved about that.

While the Dubliner described the so-called jinx as "baloney", the fact remains that no par-three winner has gone on to become Masters champion four days later.

Harrington, who shot six-under and four under par to be the 2003 and 2004 winner, had a level-par 27 this time.

Even before a ball has been struck in the Masters proper, it is certain that the jinx will carry on for another year.

That is because the winner was somebody not even teeing off on Thursday.

Former major champions are invited to compete whether they are in the tournament field or not and 51-year-old Jerry Pate, the 1976 US Open champion, had a five-under 22 to finish one ahead of Ben Crenshaw.

There were three holes-in-one - by Crenshaw at the 70-yard second, amateur Luke List at the 115-yard seventh and Raymond Floyd on the 135-yard last.