Harrington solid in Houston

Ireland's Padraig Harrington began his preparation for next week’s Masters by posting a solid one-under-par 71 in the first round of the Houston Open.

Harrington is five shots behind a leading group of three that includes defending champion Stuart Appleby of Australia.

Kevin Sutherland and Johnson Wagner are tied with Appleby on 66 at six-under.

England’s Lee Westwood began his preparation for next week’s Masters by moving into joint 10th place with a four-under-par 68.

Playing in a PGA Tour event for just the second time this season, Westwood carded four birdies in a bogey-free round at Redstone Golf Club.

David Howell fired six birdies but gave all but two shots back in a two-under round of 70. He had a pair of bogeys and had a double-bogey at the par-four fifth, while fellow Ryder Cup star Padraig Harrington signed for a one-under 71.