DEFENDING champion Padraig Harrington opened with a 71 as Swede Mathias Gronberg, called in when Nick Faldo withdrew, claimed the lead when the Honda Classic began in Florida yesterday.

Swede Mathias Gronberg, called in when Nick Faldo withdrew because of an illness in his family, made the most of the opportunity when the Honda Classic began in Florida today.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON returns to the scene of his maiden US Tour victory with a great deal more expectation on him to defend his title at Florida’s Palm Beach Gardens, today, than he faced 12 months ago.

Two weeks ago there was no doubt in Ian Poulter’s mind. “I will be in Augusta,” he said.

TIGER WOODS keeps putting himself in position to win golf tournaments.

Tiger Woods has opened up a huge lead at the top of the world rankings again following his successful defence of the Ford Championship in Miami.

TIGER WOODS made it three wins in five starts this year - but only after a late scare last night.

Tiger Woods tonight made it three wins in five starts this year – but only after a late scare at Doral in Miami.

It was bad enough for Phil Mickelson that he came off second best once more in a duel with Tiger Woods - but the third round of the Ford Championship at Doral in Florida also cost him $200 (€166).

Florida golf fans will get what they want today – another chance to see Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson going at it face-to-face.

Ireland’s Pádraig Harrington was still in touch at eight under on the second day of the Ford Championship at Doral in Florida.

Phil Mickelson refused to be overshadowed by his great rival Tiger Woods on the second day of the Ford Championship at Doral in Florida today.

The Blue Monster course at Doral in Florida appears to hold no fears for world number one Tiger Woods.

Twelve months on from their terrific last round duel Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson looked on collision course again today when they returned to the Ford Championship at Doral in Florida.

Pádraig Harrington holed out from a bunker with his last shot of the day to begin the Ford Championship at Doral in Florida with a four-under-par 68.

THE countdown to next month’s Masters at Augusta starts in earnest today as the US Tour kicks off its ‘Florida Swing’ with nine of the world’s top 10 competing in the Ford Championship at Doral.

The countdown to next month’s Masters at Augusta starts in earnest tomorrow as the US Tour kicks off its ‘Florida Swing’ with nine of the world’s top 10 competing in the Ford Championship at Doral.

In what he calls “the start of my mini-season”, Nick Faldo this week plays his first tournament in America since pulling out of the Masters with back trouble last April.

Padraig Harrington has sentenced himself to hard labour to find the game which made him a double winner on the US PGA Tour last year.

GIVEN the manner in which he failed to capitalise on a winning position in the Target World Challenge in California on Sunday, one might expect Darren Clarke to be beating himself up.

TIGER WOODS is back as golf’s world number one and, just like Vijay Singh last September, he did it in style with a victory over his main rivals.

Tiger Woods admitted he was nervous after coming from behind to overtake Phil Mickelson and win the Ford Championship by one stroke in Florida.

TIGER WOODS came from behind to overtake Phil Mickelson and win the Ford Championship by one stroke in Florida.

Phil Mickelson carded a fine six-under-par 66 to lead from Tiger Woods after the third round of the Ford Championship in Florida.

Phil Mickelson carded a bogey-free six-under-par 66 to take the lead after the second round of the Ford Championship in Florida.

WATERVILLE'S David Higgins recently proclaimed in this column that "I will get my card back this year, of that I have no doubt."

Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer is concerned Europe could go into September’s match without their strongest team.

Tiger Woods failed to put the finishing touches today to a round and a comeback which promised to be something really special.

Craig ‘Popeye’ Parry popped up with two more eagles today as he missed the Sawgrass course record by just one stroke in golf’s richest-ever event.

Nick Faldo went from the sublime to the ridiculous at the Players Championship in Florida today.

Retief Goosen shot a four-under-par 68 on Doral’s Blue Monster course to take a one-shot lead after the second round of the Ford Championship in Miami.

French golfer Thomas Levet, subjected to insults in Miami three weeks ago, has again had a security guard assigned to him for this week’s Players Championship at Sawgrass.

A play-off between Scott Hoch and Jim Furyk at the Ford Championship on Sunday was halted by darkness.

Rod Pampling cut a confident figure after taking the lead in the first round of the Ford Championship at Doral.