Harrington off to a slow start

Padraig Harrington’s defence of the Honda Classic title he won in fine style 12 months ago coughed and spluttered somewhat today as the amiable Dubliner reached the turn in one over par.

Having started on the back nine Harrington quickly kicked into gear at the Mirasol venue in Palm Beach when an opening birdie was followed by another at the 12th, his third. However, some loose play at the par four 16th undid the good work as he racked-up a double-bogey six, followed by a bogey at the 18th.

However, a slow start shouldn’t deter Harrington’s followers if last year’s performance was anything to go by. The world number 21 opened with a sluggish 73 to be nine off the lead last year. But come the final round Harrington went on a birdie blitz -10 in his first 13 holes - before eventually signing for a final round 63.

Having arguably shot the best competitive round of his career he tied for the lead on 14-under with Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy and none other than Fiji’sVijay Singh. The Australian dropped out of the playoff at the first extra hole and Harrington was sensationally gifted the title when Singh missed a three foot putt at the next.

In doing so Harrington picked up the $990,000 winner’s cheque and became the first Irishman to win a US PGA Tour event. Later in the season he also went on to win the Barclays Classic at Westchester in New York.

This week the 34-year-old’s biggest threat might well come from his playing partner for the first two rounds, David Toms. The American, who was runner-up to Tiger Woods in last week’s Ford Championship and is third on the US money list, reached the turn in one under.

Ranked eighth in the world Toms is also the only player in the top 10 competing this week. And because so many of the top players are missing the defending champion believes this will indirectly add more pressure on him.

"It always takes me a few weeks to get back into the swing of things," said Harrington before his fourth start of the year after a nine week winter break. "And there is also much more expectation, and that could be a bit of a problem at this time of year."

American Paul Stankowski and Sweden’s Mathias Gronberg are currently in the driving seat at four under.