Padraig Harrington fired his lowest round of the year to take a two-stroke lead after round one of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
Irishman shoots lowest round of the year
Padraig Harrington fired his lowest round of the year to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio.
Seven days before of the start of his US PGA Championship defence at Hazeltine, the Irishman carded a six-under-par round of 64 at Firestone Country to lead Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng, American Scott Verplank and South Africa's Tim Clark.
Despite recently relinquishing the Open title he had held for two years, Harrington arrived in the United States convinced that swing changes that had caused a dip in form during the first half of 2009 were finally beginning to bear fruit.
And he was rewarded on Thursday with an excellent opening round which brought a birdie at his first hole, the 10th, on the tough, 7,400-yard, par-70 South Course - the first of six in a bogey-free round.
"I'm well aware that it only matters to hold the lead on Saturday and then really matters on Sunday," three-time major winner Harrington said.
"I'm always a very cautious person in the first round, a great believer that you don't win the tournament on Thursday, you just keep yourself in it.
"And very rarely do I go out there in an aggressive manner, I generally am quite conservative to start out.
"I would say you could go through my career and you'll only find a handful of times I've led after the first round."
England's Ian Poulter lies in a tie for fifth place following a 67, a score matched by Americans Steve Stricker and Zach Johnson.
Woods four off the pace
Meanwhile, there were 68s from world number one and six-time Firestone winner Tiger Woods as well as fellow American Hunter Mahan, Australian Robert Allenby, New Zealander Danny Lee and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and Sergio Garcia.
Open champion Stewart Cink, playing for the first time since defeating Tom Watson in a play-off at Turnberry last month, was in a large group at one under that also featured US Open titlist Lucas Glover, Players champion Henrik Stenson, Kenny Perry and English trio Nick Dougherty, Lee Westwood and Oliver Wilson.
Defending champion Vijay Singh, world number two Phil Mickelson and Masters champion Angel Cabrera were in a large group that posted level-par 70s.
Returning to golf after taking six weeks off to care for his wife Amy as she began treatment for breast cancer, Mickelson started slowly with a double-bogey six at his second hole of the day, the 11th.
He went out in a three-over 38 but clawed his way back with three birdies on the back nine.
Also at level were England's Luke Donald and Ross Fisher while the former's playing partner, Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, lies on three over following a 73.
Respective compatriots Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy, the latter making his debut at Firestone this week, walked away with 75s - both doubtless grateful that the tournament has no halfway cut.
That also guarantees debutant Shane Lowry four rounds of golf following an eight-over 78 - the Irishman playing in his seventh tournament since turning professional following his victory as an amateur in the Irish Open in May.
However, world number three Paul Casey was forced to quit the tournament after just six holes, citing a pulled muscle in his ribcage.
