Harrington paired with Woods for PGA Championship

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington will play the first two rounds with Tiger Woods and American Ryder Cup captain Davis Love at next week’s US PGA Championship in Atlanta.

All three are former winners of the title – Harrington three years ago in what remains his last victory in America or Europe, Love in 1997 and Woods four times between 1999 and 2007.

The trio will tee off at 8.35am from the 10th tee next Thursday, Woods’ participation coming a week after his return from the knee and Achilles tendon injuries that kept him out of the US Open and The Open.

In accordance with tradition, the winners of the first three Majors this season are paired. Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke and South African Charl Schwartzel will start their bids at 1.45pm in the first round.

David Toms, who held off Phil Mickelson to win the title at the course a decade ago, is grouped with the left-hander and twice winner Vijay Singh, while Luke Donald plays with Spaniard Alvaro Quiros and American Nick Watney.