PADRAIG HARRINGTON SET himself up for a weekend challenge with a strong start at the Travelers Championship.
Harrington fired in six birdies in an opening round of 66, finishing five shots back on four-under par.
And the Dubliner feels he can improve again in the next few days at TPC River Highlands, Connecticut.
“I’m very pleased with the score,” he said afterwards. “I didn’t hit it that well.”
With the controversial belly putter in his bag, Harrington hit a hot streak towards the end of the round as he rolled in a 50-foot birdie putt on the short par four 15th.
He followed that up with two more birdies at 16 and 17, leaving himself in a tie for tenth place overnight. Charley Hoffman leads on nine-under par with Hunter Mahan, fourth at the US Open last weekend, a shot back in second and 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson third on seven-under.
Harrington’s day could have been even better but for a dropped shot at the fifth and then another disappointing bogey on 13 after his tee shot went out of bounds.
“I got a good start and a few good shots early on then kind of settled in in the middle of the round but hit a few out of bounds,” he said. “Finishing the way I did the last few holes will make my lunch taste a lot better.
“I’m very happy with the score, looking forward to a good week. I just keep feeling like I want to hit it better than I did today, but I did hole a few putts at the right time today.”
Justin Rose, winner of the US Open at Merion last week, finished on three-under.
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