AKRON, Ohio – Padraig Harrington broke par for the second straight day on Friday – something he hasn’t done in four months – to hold the lead at the Bridgestone Invitational.
Without a victory since the US PGA Championship, the Irishman shot a 1-under 69 that gave him a one-shot lead over South Africa’s Tim Clark (68) going into the weekend.
Harrington wasn’t ready to declare himself the favorite to win but conceded that consecutive good rounds were helpful.
“I shot a good score yesterday – put me up there – and it’s nice to shoot a reasonable score to back it up,” said Harrington, who was at 7-under 133. “Break 70 on the weekend a few more times and I should be doing OK.”
American Scott Verplank went 35 holes without a bogey until hitting into the trees on the 18th hole and dropping a shot for a 69, leaving him alone in third at 135.
Tiger Woods, a six-time winner at Firestone, was among 20 players within five shots of the lead, although he found himself in a peculiar spot after an even-par 70. He was tied for 13th, the first time after any round at Firestone he has been out of the top 10.
He was at 2-under 138, the same score he had in 2007 when he went on to win by eight. (AP)