Harrington in the frame

Padraig Harrington was one behind leader Leslie Walker after a three-under-par 68 in the opening round of the Irish PGA championship at the European Club south of Dublin today.

Harrington has won the tournament the last two years before going on to triumph in the Open Championship as well, but this time went into the tournament in dire need of a boost in confidence after missing five successive halfway cuts in Europe and America.

He carded four birdies in his first 14 holes and would have shared the lead but for his sole bogey of the day on the 17th.