Padraig Harrrington scored a line under his major title credentials with a first round 70 in the Players Championship at Sawgrass today.
Harrington’s two-under par total from a rain-interrupted round was good enough for a share of second place on a day the Dubliner enjoyed the outright lead of a tournament regarded as the ‘fifth major’ at one stage.
Harrington had led by two at four under after a two and a half hour rain delay. However, after a difficult patch around the turn and a dropped stroke at the last - a devilishly difficult par four - he slipped into a group on two under-par, just one off the lead.
Six players - including US PGA champion David Toms, Jeff Sluman, 1989 British Open winner Mark Calcavecchia and Australian Stuart Appleby - are among the early leaders in the clubhouse at three-under-par 69.
And Tiger Woods bid to make history was put on hold due to the downpour. Woods, who is seeking to become the first golfer to defend successfully the Players Championship title, had just teed off when rain forced the players off the course.
The title holder had yet to make any impression on the leaderboard five holes into his round, having carded five straight pars.
Elsewhere, Paul McGinley got a taste of how difficult the Sawgrass course can be, the Dubliner signing off for a three-over par 75. McGinley, making his debut at this event, made five bogeys in testing conditions and will need to improve tomorrow to avoid missing the cut.
Darren Clarke was among the late starters and is unlikely to complete his round this evening. After two holes, the big Tyroneman was at level par.
Colin Montgomerie, back in the US despite his much publicised distaste for the treatment he receives from American spectators, enjoyed a trouble free two under par 70 devoid of any problems with fans to join Harrington right on the heels of the early leaders.
Heckled at the Accenture world match play in California a month ago, he has since backed off from his threat not to return to America after this season.
But his first competitive round in the States since that latest incident was always going to be closely monitored and Montgomerie was happy to give it the thumbs-up.
Asked by a large gathering of reporters afterwards if he was glad he had come so far, the 38-year-old Scot replied: "I like the 'so far' bit.
"The fans were very positive indeed. I'm glad to see that and there's no reason they shouldn't be.
"I had an awful lot of support and comments such as 'glad to see you', 'good luck' and 'I'm Scotch'. That's the whisky, but never mind.
"It was a very difficult day with the wind, but I really like this course. I'm very positive playing here."