Marino sets hot pace at Pebble

Golf:Perhaps an Irish charm still lingers along the Monteray Peninsula for Pádraig Harrington is the latest player to be at one with the manicured turf high on the Californian clifftops.

Pebble Beach, scene of Graeme McDowell's major breakthrough at last year's US Open, has now laid a path for Harrington to mount a weekend challenge at the €4.5 million AT&T Pro-am.

However, if Harrington is going to enjoy success he must overhaul playing partner Steve Marino, who continued to set a blistering pace on 13 under after a second round 66 when playing alongside not one but three Irishmen, including his amateur playing partner Dermot Desmond.

The American carded seven birdies - including four in the last six holes - and just the one dropped shot at the 14th to lead by four from compatriots DA Points (70) in second and five from Keegan Bradley (69) in third.

Harrington, making his seasonal PGA Tour debut and playing alongside JP McManus, heads a chasing pack on seven under after the triple major winner added a 68 to his opening 69.

He fired out of the blocks with three birdies on the spin from the second before further gains were made at six, eight and 11 against two bogeys.

“We were all very relaxed out there and that has shown up in our golf,” said Harrington, who alongside with his playing partners will play the “easier” Monteray Peninsula course in today’s third round.

Marino may have the small matter of the €825,856 winner’s cheque on his mind but that didn’t stop him trying to coax advice from McManus.

“It’s been pretty cool playing with the Irish guys this week. It’s all so laid back and I was even trying to get JP to give me a few horseracing tips,” quipped Marino, before alluding to the differing approaches he and Harrington have on the course.

“Pádraig is much more meticulous than me and we both have different swing thoughts, but we both played great. It was perfect, I’ve never Pebble in such calm conditions.”

Phil Mickelson enjoyed a better day as he went round in five-under to end on

four-under, but Dustin Johnson, looking to win the tournament for the third year running, is level part after two rounds.

“This tournament is kind of strange,” added Marino. “You play a different course every day. You’re playing with amateur partners. It’s a little more low key and laid back.”