Harrington leads Transitions by one

Associated Press

PALM HARBOR, FLA.

Padraig Harrington, already assured of a memorable week after his trip to the White House, put himself in position to make it even better at the Transitions Championship on Friday.

Harrington picked up a pair of bonus birdies over the last five holes for a 6-under 65, his low score of the year, and built a one-shot lead going into the weekend on the tough Copperhead course at Innisbrook.

The Irishman has not won a sanctioned tournament since his PGA Championship victory at Oakland Hills at the end of 2008.

“I’m capable of winning in the form I’m in,” said Harrington, who was at 8-under 134. “Am I in my best form? No. Am I getting there? Yes.”

Jim Furyk, whose last victory against a full field came in the 2007 Canadian Open, was atop the leaderboard with Harrington until missing a 6-foot par putt on the final hole. It wasn’t enough to take away from an otherwise solid round of 68 to put him one shot behind.

Also at 7-under 135 were Carl Pettersson (68), a past winner at Innisbrook who is feeling much better after regaining some girth; Bubba Watson, who missed a 4-foot birdie putt on his final hole and had 65; and defending champion Retief Goosen after a 68.

Steve Stricker played the final eight holes in even par and still shot a 66, putting him in the group two shots behind. Stricker, the highest-ranked player at Innisbrook at No. 2 in the world, was poised to catch Harrington until he hit driver on the 16th hole to make sure he cleared the water, went too far and had his ball land next to a tree, leading to bogey.