Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell are grouped together for a first time that neither could remember and with Harrington bouncing back from dropping three shots in two holes mid-round to post a one under par 71.
However Harrington, who says he needs a top-six finish to qualify for next month’s U.S. Open, was left ruing a poor day on the green in taking 33 putts.
“I had a shocking day on the greens with a couple of three-putts and while the greens were much quicker, I just missed a few short putts,” he said.
“I hit it really close all day but then three-putting from five feet at holes like the third of my 12th hole doesn’t help.”
Three-putting the famed island green 17th was among those while he found water left off the tee at the next to be out in two over but then completing his inward nine in three under highlighted by three birdies in succession from the fourth or his 13th hole.
Fran Caffrey’s shot seems to sum up Padraig Harrington’s day on the greens at TPC Sawgrass. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
“I know what I need to work on this afternoon and it won’t be on my chipping not that I had many chips today and in fact, I can’t recall having one chip despite spending much of my practice rounds on my chipping so there you go,” he said.
McDowell’s contesting his eighth Players Championship and in an event where he’s not finishing higher than T26th five years ago.
He got his round off to a great start with back-to-back birdies but then found himself at one over with three straight bogeys.
McDowell then 13 holes in even par with a 14th hole birdie and a bogey at his 16th.
“It was great playing with Padraig and he’s hitting the ball great, and you see there’s a new spring in his step after having won a second Honda Classic a few weeks back,” said McDowell.
“As for my own game it was a day of just grinding away but my assessment is that I am not taking my good stuff on the practice range onto the golf course proper.
“But it’s all work in progress and I’m just chipping away and trying to get some confidence going.”
Shane Lowry’s Players debut went off with a splash but the not in the manner he sought when he found the water short of green at the 17th to take a double bogey on route to an eventual one over par 73.
Unfortunately, Darren Clarke is returning home after battling with a right wrist injury he picked on the range ahead his round.
Clarke was 10-over par at the time having posted a third hole triple bogey, a pair of doubles and three bogeys.
An on-course doctor attended Clarke who advised Europe’s Ryder Cup Captain if he continued he could further injury the wrist.
Clarke was leaving the States later today (FRD) and with his management company hopeful he will be fit to take his place in next fortnight’s flagship BMW PGA at Wentworth.
