The second round of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship saw a better performance from both Darren Clarke and Pádraig Harrington as the pair benefitted from quick starts to put their forgetful opening rounds behind them at Phoenix Country Club.
Clarke, who began his second round in emphatic fashion as the 57-year-old made birdie at the par-5 first from the fairway bunker, was in the mood for a scramble on Friday as he posted a bogey-free round.
Clarke made birdie at the par-4 fifth after a brilliant greenside bunker shot, before making back to back birdies at the seventh and eighth to take the turn at four-under-par.
On a hot streak, Clarke began to slow momentum on the back nine as he made his only birdie at the par-4 14th after splitting the fairway and knocking one close. Clarke got back to the clubhouse at five-under, posting a 66 to take the Tyrone native to T7 heading into Saturday’s third round.
Harrington, who was bound to be very disappointed after Thursday’s two-over-par performance, began Friday’s round in immense form by starting his day with a birdie at the par-3 second hole.
Harrington would then go on to make back to back birdies at the par-4 fourth and fifth, before doing it again at the seventh and eighth.
Harrington showcased his class with deft touch from the bunker at the seventh to put it close and make birdie. With five birdies on the front nine, Harrington made his way to the back nine in fine form but like Clarke, it began to slow down for Harrington.
Harrington made birdie at the par-4 12th but quickly gave a shot back after a wayward tee shot at the par-3 13th saw the 2022 Charles Schwab Cup Champion make bogey.
The 54-year-old made par until the last where a dropped shot penalty ended Harrington’s day on a bad note as he made bogey at the par-5 18th to post a four-under-par 67 to climb the leaderboard to T23 at two-under.
At the top of the leaderboard, Order of Merit leader Steven Alker fired another mid 60 round as the 54-year-old now holds a one stroke lead over Order of Merit contender Stewart Cink heading into round three.
Alker has a great record around Phoenix Country Club as he has never finished outside the top-three in his four appearances here as he seeks his second Charles Schwab Cup Championship, and his third win of the season.
Alker made seven birdies and a bogey to post a six-under 66 which takes him to 11-under to leapfrop Cink who posted a 68 and is now 10-under.
Champions Tour rookie Tommy Gainey posted a 67 to sit in third at nine-under, despite a double bogey at the par-4 16th, as Miguel Angel Jiménez and Jerry Kelly occupy T4 on eight-under.
Bernhard Langer shot his age or better for the 34th time in his career, as the 68-year-old posted a 67 to join Darren Clarke in T7. Having won on the Champions Tour every year since joining in 2007, the German looks to scrap for win to keep his winning streak alive.
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