Houston Open second round leaderboard (completed rounds only):
- -9: C Kirk (US)
- -8: A Kim (US), J Wagner (US)
- -7: J Teater (US), P Harrington (Ire), J Walker (US)
- -6: T Petrovic (US), A Baddeley (Aus), S Verplank (US)
- Selected others: -4: L Westwood (Eng), P Mickelson (US)
- -3: R Fisher (Eng), L Oosthuizen (SA)
- -1: B Davis (Eng), E Els (SA)
Three-time major champions Harrington is currently ranked 36th in the world
Padraig Harrington shot a three-under second-round 69 to continue his strong start to the Houston Open.
In the final event before next week’s Masters, the Irishman produced a mixed round but an eagle and five birdies left him on seven under.
American Chris Kirk is the early clubhouse leader on nine under, a shot ahead of compatriots Anthony Kim and Johnson Wagner.
English world number two Lee Westwood fired a par 72 to remain four under.
The 37-year-old from Nottingham made a poor start to his round, dropping three shots on the back nine as he carded four bogeys and a birdie.
However, he rallied on the way home to claim three birdies on the front nine to salvage par.
He is joined on four under by American Phil Mickelson, who continued his warm-up for the defence of his Masters title with a second successive round of 70, and Italian Francesco Molinari, who shot a 71.
Ross Fisher’s 70 meant he reached the halfway point on three under, two strokes ahead of compatriot Brian Davis and South African Ernie Els.
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Harrington in the hunt in Houston