Harrington, Byrd share win in weather-shortened Par-3 Tournament

Masters Par-3 Tournament ends in tie at Augusta National due to weather

Thunderstorms have caused the early cancellation of the 2012 Par-3 Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club

Padraig Harrington and Jonathan Byrd, who were tied atop the leaderboard at 5-under, were declared co-champions.

The first-place tie is the third in the history of the Par-3 Tournament and first since 2003, when Harrington and David Toms split the title.

Heavy thunderstorms rolled through the area Tuesday night, knocking down trees around the 365-acre property and delaying the opening of Wednesday’s practice round on the eve of the 76th Masters Tournament.

After a sunny, mild morning, dark clouds rolled in during the afternoon. Masters legends Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus were playing the Par-3 course when the club’s weather-warning sirens went off.

Players and patrons were asked to clear the course.

Adam Scott, Webb Simpson and Jerry Pate were tied at 4-under, though Simpson and Pate did not finish their round.

Thomas Bjorn and Mark Wilson scored the tournament’s only two aces. Bjorn’s hole-in-one came at the ninth hole, while Wilson aced the fourth.

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