lindanie123
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AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Padraig Harrington never allowed himself to get down during the worst of times, whether he was missing five straight cuts or finishing toward the bottom of the leaderboard.
He didn't act much differently Thursday after his best round of the year.
Harrington finally saw some results after eight months of tinkering with his swing, making a pivotal par save early that sent him on his way to a 6-under 64 and a two-shot lead in the Bridgestone Invitational.
A boost of confidence? Not really.
"Has no relevance in the overall scheme of things," Harrington said. "It's just one round of golf. That's all it is. It doesn't change the last six months. It won't change the next six months. I wouldn't put too much significance into it, because what if I went out there and shot 76? Would I let it affect tomorrow? I think I would not put much emphasis on the fact that I shot 64. I'm comfortable with it."
What pleased him were the two late birdies - a 25-foot putt on the seventh hole, and one from about the same range just short of the green at No. 8 - that made a good round even better.
It also put him atop the leaderboard for the first time all year, two shots clear of Scott Verplank, Tim Clark and Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand. The group at 67 included Steve Stricker and former Masters champion Zach Johnson.
Verplank played with Harrington, and he was well aware of the stories that documented Harrington's incessant swing changes.
"I know he's struggled a little bit, and he's probably gotten a little too much criticism for working on his game," Verplank said. "But you know what? He's the only one that knows what he needs to do. If today is any indication, then he's doing something right."
Tiger Woods did enough right to open with a 68, the 11th straight time he has broken par in the opening round at Firestone. The world's No. 1 player is going for his seventh victory on this tree-lined course, and he was only four shots behind.
A week ago in the Buick Open, he was tied for 95th after a 1-under 71 in the first round and wound up winning by three shots.
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Callaway x-22 Irons
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