US TOUR BMW CHAMPIONSHIP: PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON continued his excellent form in the FedEx Cup play-offs yesterday when he fired a three-under-par 68 in the opening round of the BMW Championship in Illinois.
After starting at the 10th with a birdie three, Harrington added another at the 15th to reach the turn in 34 and added just one birdie at the ninth on the way home for his 68.
He trails early first round leader Rory Sabbatini by two shots after the South African opened with a 66.
Sabbatinis reaction to getting passed over for the International Presidents Cup team was to let his play do the talking.
Sabbatini has missed each of his last two cuts and hasn’t had a finish better than 34th since winning at the HP Byron Nelson Championship, but yesterday he fired six birdies and just two bogeys to lead by one from Bo Van Pelt on 67.
Sharing third place with Harrington is World number one Tiger Woods, David Toms and Geoff Ogilvy.
Woods group was put on the clock after the 18th hole (their ninth). Interestingly, Harrington was in the group in front of Woods, Steve Stricker, and Heath Slocum. Ben Crane, who has been very open about his struggle with slow play, was in the group right behind Woods.
Ogilvy was five under through his first nine holes but slipped up on the back nine with bogeys at the first and fifth and a double at the seventh.
Ian Poulter started the week as the bubble boy at number 30 on the FedEx Cup list. The colourful Englishman, who tied for 10th at the BMW Championship in 2007, shot a 69 to finish three shots off the lead. The highest he could finish in the standings is third - with a win - but playing well enough to keep his spot for East Lake is most important.
In honour of Arnold Palmers 80th birthday yesterday, players and caddies are wearing the King’s signature Bay Hill multi-coloured umbrella. The pins, which are a joint effort between the Tour and the BMW Championship, are being distributed on the first tee.
