Padraig Harrington has had two non-malignant melanomas removed from around his right eye.

The Open and USPGA champion had similar surgery in 2007 and revealed the latest operation as he prepared to return to action in the Buick Invitational in San Diego today.

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

Harrington is in America for the next month but may then skip the CA World Championship at Doral in Miami on 12-15 March.

That would enable him to fully recharge his batteries before the final countdown to the US Masters, where he will try to become only the third player 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 for you."

The biggest threat to Harrington's treble major dream could come from Tiger Woods, who is close to a return.

The world No1 has been sidelined since defying a knee ligament injury and a stress fracture to win the US Open in June but is recovering from surgery and is expected to play at least one event before the Masters.

Harrington feels he could benefit from Woods's return. "I am looking forward to Tiger coming back and taking some of the spotlight off me," he said. "It's much easier to win any tournament under the radar.'

Harrington rejected suggestions that Woods will be rusty after his lay-off.

"I actually think he'll come back better," said the 37-year-old. "Like any player forced to take a break from the game, they come back with a greater enthusiasm because they've missed it.

"He might even want to win a tournament more than before."