Harrington has a chance of winning three majors in a row

Padraig Harrington revealed he has had eye surgery to remove two non-malignant melanomas from around his right eye.

The 37-year-old carded a one-under-par opening round at the Buick Invitational in San Diego on Thursday, just over a week after the operation.

"I had them looked at just before Christmas and had them cut out 10 days ago," said the Irishman.

Harrington had similar surgery in 2007 and is set to stay and play in America for the next four weeks.

But he could skip the CA World Championship in Miami on 12-15 March.

606: DEBATE Do you think Harrington can win three consecutive majors?

That would enable the reigning Open and USPGA champion to fully recharge his batteries before the final countdown to the Masters, where he will try to become only the third player in golf history to win three majors in a row.

"I'm unlikely to play Doral," he added. "I'm not fully committed at the moment, but it looks like I'll take a three-week break there and go home and work on things.

"Usually I peak in my third week, so I look to put the majors the third week.

"I'd love to play all the best tournaments but you've got to schedule these things for what works best to help you peak when you need to."

Harrington's opening effort at Torrey Pines was eight shots adrift of leader Camilo Villegas, after the Colombian fired a blistering nine-under 63.

American Davis Love III and Australian Aaron Baddeley were his closest challengers on six under, while English duo Luke Donald and Greg Owen posted two-under 70s.

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