Padraig Harrington was introduced in the usual fashion Tuesday, noted for winning the 2007 and 2008 British Open titles and last year’s PGA Championship. Oh, and by the way, “He’s a two-time winner of our own Par 3 Contest here and he says he’s going to play again this year …”

Jeez, the guy’s got enough pressure on him. Harrington comes to this, his 10th Masters, trying to win a third straight major, and nobody has to be reminded that the Par 3 Contest champ has never donned a Green Jacket in the same year.

No matter. Harrington is an intriguing pick, if only because while Tiger Woods was away, the Irishman played quite a tune with back-to-back majors. Say what you want about Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Rory McIlroy and all the other European hopefuls … Harrington has become this generation’s Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo when it comes to major expectations, with the Masters next in his sights.

Indeed, with three trophies on his mantle, Harrington seems to have embraced the pressure. “I’ve bee getting text messages and e-mails. The best one, Lee Westwood said to me, ‘What’s all this about the Paddy Slam? Are you starting up wrestling?’ ’’ Harrington said.

“It’s gotten to the level that adding any more pressure doesn’t make any difference in how I feel,” he added. “Regardless of what’s going on outside, whether it’s three in a row or another major, it’s just the fact I know I can do it.”

He’s been in the hunt at Augusta National twice before, tying for fifth in 2002 and last year. But can his putting hold up? What about his tee ball? Windy conditions will probably be a part of the Masters storyline, and we all know how that supposedly favors European players.

An indication will come Wednesday. If Harrington wins a third Par 3 Contest, history tells us he won’t make this Masters his third major in a row.