Padraig Harrington gets it.

PGA Tour Player of the Year Padraig Harrington climbs a hill on his way to No. 13 during Tuesday's practice round of the Masters. (Rainier Ehrhardt/Staff)

He understands why Tiger Woods is receiving most of the attention leading into the Masters Tournament. But the humble Irishman stands halfway to the Paddy Slam.

"Tiger, obviously when you get to the bigger stage, he is the top dog and he deserves the attention with what he's done," Harrington said. "And he's coming back from injury; it's a fantastic story and it's good to be told. That's what gets out there.

"Does that make him play better golf on Thursday morning, or me? No. We have got to go out there and play our own games on Thursday and not let the outside stuff affect it. So regardless of what's happening outside, it ain't going to help me. It's not going to give me a shot advantage on Thursday morning, and it's not going to give me a shot disadvantage. I'm in control of that element."

When he tees it up Thursday, Harrington will begin his quest for a third consecutive major title. The last golfer to win three majors in a row? Woods, who captured four consecutive major titles in 2000 and 2001 en route to the "Tiger Slam."

Last year, Harrington fired a final-round 69 to win his second consecutive British Open by four shots. The following month, he closed with 66-66 to claim the PGA Championship by two shots. Harrington later was named 2008 PGA Tour Player of the Year.

"We all know he's been a wonderful player," Woods said. "It's just a matter of Paddy winning his first major. You knew that was going to happen, and he has the game to win more. And lo and behold, he wins two last year."

Ranked fifth in the world, Harrington enters Augusta with tons of support through various text messages and e-mails. He also received a curious query Monday from Lee Westwood.

"What's all this about the Paddy Slam?" Westwood said. "Are you starting up wrestling?"

Harrington will try to pin down his first Masters win in his 10th appearance. He has recorded three top 10 showings, including a tie for fifth last year.

Though he hasn't won a green jacket, he has won here before. In 2003 and 2004, Harrington won consecutive Par-3 Contests.

"I like the Par-3 tournament," the 37-year-old said. "I like the idea of going out there and hitting a few wedge shots. It's very important in the tournament, your wedge play, and I like the idea of, you know, the hype and the little bit of excitement. It gets you ready for the tournament."

Harrington has played seven PGA Tour events this year without winning, but he has seen signs of hope his past two events. Harrington put himself in contention at the Arnold Palmer Invitational before finishing tied for 11th.

Last week, he sat two shots off the 54-hole lead at the Houston Open. Harrington carded a final-round 77 for a tie for 26th.

"I tend to take a good winter break, and when I come out at the start of the year, I tend to be a little bit mixed up and complicated from the work I've done during the winter," he said. "This year is not hugely different than any other year, except maybe I dragged it a couple more weeks into the season than I should have. So I did struggle to find form earlier on. The last two weeks have been encouraging."

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.