A week after playoff disappointment at the Cologuard Classic, Pádraig Harrington is back in the hunt at the PGA Tour Champions’ Hoag Classic at Newport Beach Country Club.
The reigning U.S. Senior and Senior Open champion made four birdies, an eagle and a bogey enroute to a five-under 66 that leaves him tied for ninth.
Darren Clarke sits in midfield in a tie for 43rd after a two-under 69, but 61-year-old Paul Goydos sits alone at the top after a bogey-free, nine-under 62.
“Well, you shoot 9 under, pretty much everything goes well,” Goydos said. “There’s a lot of good breaks. Like last hole, I lipped in instead of lipped out, you know.
“But I played really well. Made nine birdies and nine pars. Had a good par save on nine. But other than that, hit the green and if I made the putt, I made birdie, tapped in and went to the next hole. We had a good group, good pace. Thongchai shot nothing on the back, Stephen Ames is always a good pairing. Just a good enjoyable day. I haven’t had many of those lately and it was kind of nice to have one.”
Zach Johnson and Brian Gay sit one back at -8, while Steven Alker, who took down Harrington in last week’s playoff, is one further adrift at -7.
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