Pádraig leads in Bermuda

Pádraig Harrington is halfway towards the €460,000 PGA Grand Slam title in Bermuda — just three days after being offered the chance to play.

The 41-year-old Dubliner, who lost play-offs at Mid-Ocean in 2007 and 2008, started with a five-under-par 66 at Port Royal to lead Masters champion Bubba Watson by two, US Open winner Webb Simpson by three and holder Keegan Bradley, Rory McIlroy’s replacement, by six.

The event is meant to be between the year’s four major winners, but with McIlroy opting to play in Shanghai, Ernie Els pulling out with an ankle injury and reserves Graeme McDowell and Tiger Woods turning it down — they are in Asia as well — Harrington received a call.