Padraig Harrington presses Ryder Cup case by leading at Barclays

Padraig Harrington pressed his case for a Ryder Cup wildcard by shooting a 64 to claim the early lead at the Barclays Tournament in Farmingdale. 

The Irishman's seven-under-par round at the New York course gave him a one-shot clubhouse lead over American pair Nick Watney and Brian Harman. US PGA winner Rory McIlroy opened with a two-under 69, one behind Tiger Woods and world number two Luke Donald. Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal is to name his wildcard picks on Monday. Dubliner Harrington has played on four winning European sides in the Ryder Cup. Ian Poulter is widely expected to be handed one of the two places Olazabal will chose for the clash with the United States at at Medinah, Illinois. The Englishman, and two-times Open champion Harrington, were two of Colin Montgomerie's three picks for the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales. Olazabal, at Gleneagles for the Johnnie Walker Championship, was reminded that two weeks ago he had said Harrington needed to do something extraordinary to make the side. So what now constitutes extraordinary? "At least a win," Olazabal replied with a smile. England's Gary Christian was tied for fourth place after producing a superb five-under-par round of 66 which would have been even better were it not for a bogey at the last.

 The 31-year-old, who has only one top-10 professional finish to his name, belied his world number 245 ranking to register five birdies in his first nine holes. England's Justin Rose shot 67, one ahead of compatriots Donald and Ian Poulter. Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood were among other European stars to show encouraging form at the Barclays, the first of the FedEx Cup play-off events. Garcia, who confirmed his place by winning the Wyndham Championship last week, had a 66 to lie just two behind Harrington while Westwood matched McIlroy's two-under 69. Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell had a day to forget though - carding two double bogeys and three bogeys in a four-over-par round of 75.













23 August 2012 Last updated at 19:28
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19363245