Harrington and McIlroy in the mix

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON and Rory McIlroy were in the mix before poor light stopped play in the weather- delayed WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami.

But Graeme McDowell was left to rue two late bogeys as he slipped six shots behind early pacesetter Hunter Mahan at the TPC Blue Monster with three holes of his opening round to complete.

Play was delayed two hours and 46 minutes following a midday thunderstorm that brought 52 mph gusts that destroyed two TV towers, a scoreboard at the 18th and an estimated 17 palm trees. But the delay didn’t appear to bother Harrington or McIlroy as they cruised to three under par before the hooter sounded with McDowell slipping back into the pack on one under after bogeys at his 14th and 15th holes.