Harrington moves into contention in Miami

Playing partners Padraig Harrington and Ian Poulter went in totally opposite directions in the second round of the WGC-CA Championship in Miami today.

Harrington moved into contention on six under par following a four-under 68, four behind early clubhouse leader Ernie Els.

But three weeks on from his World Match Play victory, Poulter crashed to near last place with a 78 and then revealed that he had nearly quit the event because of a neck problem.

The pair finished their day’s work just before play was held up briefly because of an approaching thunderstorm, officials having made a very wise move in bringing forward tee times by nearly three and a half hours.

Els, 40, who last year failed to land a title for the first time since his rookie season in 1990, has been putting in the hours on the practice range recently.

That certainly paid off as he added a 66 to his opening 68 and he shared top spot with Australian Robert Allenby, who still had three holes to complete when the suspension came.

The pair were three clear of closest challenger Bill Haas and overnight leader Charl Schwartzel.

Harrington’s only 2009 success came in the non-Tour Irish PGA Championship, but he was making no promises about putting that right this weekend.

The Dubliner has dropped to 13th in the world with nothing better than a 16th place finish in four starts so far this season.

With that in mind he said: “I have a tradition, unfortunately for me, that I don’t normally win out of the blue.

“It’s very rare. I normally warm up by getting into contention a few times. I’m happy with my scoring but I made a few mental errors out there and missed a few putts.

“Obviously, though, I hit enough good shots and I seemed to have a lot of reasonable chances for birdies.”

His only dropped shot came after he hooked his drive into the lake on the treacherous 18th, his ninth of the day.

Poulter did the same, but for him it was one of seven bogeys.

“I nearly didn’t play yesterday,” said the world number five. “The neck’s been coming on for a while and the pillows are not very good this week.

“My usual physio guy is in Australia so I had to get some treatment when I got to the course and as I went to practice I still wasn’t sure I’d be playing.”

Poulter got round in a level-par 72 on the opening day, but every mistake was punished on his return to the Blue Monster course.

There is no halfway cut in the tournament and he will have to make a decision on whether it is wise to continue for the closing 36 holes if the problem persists.

Els said: “I’m just pleased we got it done. The weather is changing a lot. I’m in pretty good shape. Halfway there and, you know, just got to keep it up.”

Paul Casey remained three under with a 72 while Lee Westwood was one under with five to go.

Simon Dyson, Ross Fisher and Graeme McDowell were level par even closer to home, Luke Donald one over after a disappointing 75, Ross McGowan two over and Rory McIlroy just one ahead of Poulter.

Dane Soren Hansen, in court in his home country next Friday on a tax matter reported to involve around €2.2m, kept alive his hopes of the first prize of €1m with a second successive 69 to be alongside Harrington.

Initially he did not want to comment on the court appearance and asked reporters not to write about it, but then said: “I’ve not had a chance to explain myself at all and that’s what I’m going to do in court.

“I wouldn’t say it impacted me that much. I’ve played Ryder Cup, I’ve won golf tournaments, I’ve played well this week. I know I’m on the good side.

“Obviously it’s been bothering me, but not that much that I’ve taken it to the golf course. I’m going to put the clubs away for a while and get it all done and sorted.” He will be back in action for The Masters next month.