US TOUR:PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON hit five birdies in the opening seven holes last night in the second round of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Tournament to leave him tied for seventh on seven under.

While the Irishman also carded five birdies in the opening round at Monterey Peninsula on Thursday, three bogeys left him down the leaderboard before the start of play yesterday.

However, a strong showing at Pebble Beach last night leaves him in strong contention going into the weekend’s play.

Tiger Woods had three birdies and a bogey through his first seven holes last night, in his first US PGA Tour event this year, leaving him tied for 17th on six under. Woods had birdies on the par-five sixth and par-three seventh holes at Monterey Peninsula Country Club’s Shore Course after opening his day with another birdie.

The bogey came on the par-four fourth, where he missed the fairway with his tee shot and yelled a profanity following his second shot. He was unable to sink his par putt from about six feet.

Woods shot a four-under-par 68 on Thursday night at the Spyglass Hill golf course, which had the highest average score of the tournament’s three courses during the opening round in Pebble Beach, California.

This week’s tournament groups professionals with amateur players. Woods is paired with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

The professionals and amateurs rotate among the three courses the first three days before the pros play the final round at Pebble Beach tomorrow.

When Woods won the tournament in 2000 he came from five strokes back against Matt Gogel in the final round, four months before he went on to post a 15-shot win in the US Open at Pebble Beach.