Ireland’s Padraig Harrington set a course record with a career-low 10-under 61 to grab a three-shot lead after the first round of the Transitions Championship on Thursday, sending a signal that his slump could be behind him.
Harrington enjoyed a bogey-free day at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor, Florida, where he birdied his final three holes to move clear of the US’ Will Claxton, who mixed five birdies with an eagle for a seven-under 64.
The Dubliner, who has not won on the PGA Tour or European Tour since 2008, has struggled to find his form of late, but hit 14 greens and took 11 one-putts, including one on the 18th from 17 feet to finish in style.
Photo: AFP
“I’m trying to stay patient. I know my game is good. One of the hardest things is to wait with confidence. I haven’t putted very well, certainly very inconsistent for the last year, and it’s been showing up in my results,” he added.
World No. 2 Luke Donald and fellow Englishman Justin Rose, who won the WGC-Cadillac Championship on Sunday, both shot four-under 67s.
Australian John Senden (66) extended his recent good form and is among a group of seven players, including US veteran Kenny Perry and Jim Furyk, who were five shots back in what were comfortable scoring conditions.
Harrington, a three-times major winner, missed out on last week’s tournament in Doral, having slipped outside of the top 50 in the rankings and slumping down to 90th in the world.
The Irishman, whose last PGA Tour win was the 2008 PGA Championship, was 13th in the world as recently as May 2010, but says he never lost faith in his ability.
“I pride myself on being very strong mentally, but you know, it’s frustrating when your world ranking is slipping,” Harrington said.
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