Harrington thrilled with early return

Padraig Harrington feels he has already vindicated his decision to cut short a three-week break and play the WGC-CA Championship at Doral.

Ireland’s reigning Open and US PGA champion will begin today’s second round one stroke behind overnight leaders Retief Goosen, Prayad Marksaeng, Phil Mickelson and Jeev Milka Singh following an opening-day, six-under-par 66.

The round was a welcome return to form for the Dubliner following a poor start to the year in which he twice missed the cut in his first four events and then crashed out of the WGC-Accenture Match Play at the first hurdle.

Harrington went home from the WGC-Accenture with the intention of taking three weeks off before returning to America and playing Bay Hill, the Shell Houston Open in advance of the Masters, but his dip in form prompted a rethink.

“I know it was the right decision,” Harrington said.

“I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t think I was 100% sure that the decision was a good one.”

Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68, Graeme McDowell completed his round on one over par and Darren Clarke ended the day one shot further back on two over.