Harrington takes over lead with 64

Ireland's Padraig Harrington helped history repeat itself when he took an early one-shot lead over defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez in the Madrid Open second round on a rainy Friday morning.

The 29-year-old Dubliner's 64 was a repeat performance of 1996, when he took the lead in the Spanish Open second round and went on to win the rain-curtailed event at the Club de Campo course in his rookie year.

Harrington, who left European number two Darren Clarke five shots adrift, again flourished in a downpour on Friday, as he moved to an 11-under-par 131.

Moments after Harrington signed for his card, Jimenez was finishing off a second five-under-par 66 to stay a stroke ahead of South Africa's Roger Wessels, who continued his bid for a first European title by shooting a 65 for 133.

Swede Per-Ulrik Johansson carded the best score of the week, a 63, to share fourth place, four shots off the lead. First-round leader Markus Brier was on that mark when the Austrian rookie began his afternoon round.

Harrington played with Northern Irishman Clarke who, bidding to go back to top place in the European rankings, could only manage a tie for seventh after an erratic 70.

Harrington was well aware of the deja-vu to his round.

It was because the European Tour was appearing at Club de Campo for the first time since his rookie win, that Harrington decided to shrug off tiredness and the after-effects of a neck and shoulder problem.

"My chiropractor warned me I could be causing myself more damage by playing on when I should be taking a rest week and I knew playing five events in a row was too much," said Harrington.

"But because of it being the venue where I won four years ago, I decided to come and play. So far, it's been a good idea."

Jimenez, always a slow starter to the season, was again finding late form and felt confident defending his title.

"Every year my best form comes at the end of the season. I think I spend the rest of the year warming up," said the Spaniard.

"But Harrington and Clarke are very solid, so I have a lot of work to do."

Clarke had Harrington in his sights until Harrington's eagle on their 13th hole, the fourth, and Clarke's bogey four holes from home.

"It wasn't my best round but I got further behind when my ball took off on a rock-hard fairway and bounced into a hazard," said Clarke.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page