PALM HARBOR, Fla., March 15 (UPI) -- Padraig Harrington shot a course-record 10-under 61 Thursday to move three shots in front after one round of the Transitions Championship.
Harrington, a three-time major champion who has not won in the United States since capturing the PGA in 2008, posted the lowest 18-hole total of his career.
He birdied 10 holes at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, besting the course record of 62 shot by Jeff Sluman eight years ago and equaled by Mark Calcavecchia in 2007.
Will Claxton, who posted a top-20 finish last week in Puerto Rico, shot a 64 to stand alone in second place.
Jim Furyk, John Senden, Jason Bohn, Jason Dufner, William McGirt, Cameron Tringale and 51-year-old Kenny Perry shared third place at 66.
Last week's WGC-Cadillac Championship winner, Justin Rose, and Luke Donald both were at 67. A win by Donald this week would move him back into the No. 1 spot in the world rankings.
Harrington birdied three of the first four holes and finished with three straight birdies. His round was highlighted by a 75-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th.
"Must be the longest putt I've holed on tour," Harrington said. "I would like to tell it you was funneling right up the green and couldn't go anywhere else, but certainly the last 15 feet it was right in the middle of the hole. That's a bonus, obviously."
Former U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover, making his season debut after injuring a knee prior to the start of the campaign, shot a 70.
