SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Padraig Harrington said earlier this week that he was playing the Waste Management Phoenix Open because he’d always wanted to check out the fan-friendly atmosphere.
After the first round, there may be another reason: to contend for a title.
Harrington opened with a 7-under 64 in his first career competitive round at TPC-Scottsdale to grab a share of second place, just four strokes behind leader Phil Mickelson.
“It's a little bit behind Phil, but still a nice score in itself,” Harrington said. “You know, I pretty much got the most out of the round for the first 15 holes and then had three chances the last three holes and didn't hole the putts. But overall I've got a good feeling about it.”
Harrington is searching for his first PGA Tour victory since the 2008 PGA Championship.
Sobel has covered golf since 2004 and provides columns, blogs, chats for Golf Channel.
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