Harrington gets motoring late to shoot 68 in Buick Classic

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON put in a strong finish to his opening round at the Buick Classic to leave him in touch with the leaders going into today's second round at the Westchester Country Club in New York.

The world number eight birdied four of the last six holes to leave him with a three-under-par 68, five shots back on clubhouse leader Vijay Singh, who carded an opening round 63 to take a one-shot lead from Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson. The other Irishman in the field, Darren Clarke, another late starter on day one, finished with a one-over-par 72.

Harrington, starting on the 10th hole, birdied his first and then let slip bogeys at his second and fifth holes to turn for home in one over 36. Then came a solid start to the front nine, his homeward leg, with three pars on holes one, two and three before birdies at four, five, six and eight moved him to within touching distance of the leader.