Golf

Padraig Harrington struggles with first round 77 at St Jude Classic

Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke withdraws from the US Open to focus on ‘preparations’

Padraig Harrington of Ireland hits off the seventh tee during the first round of the FedEx St Jude Classic at TPC Southwind. Photograph: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Padraig Harrington of Ireland hits off the seventh tee during the first round of the FedEx St Jude Classic at TPC Southwind. Photograph: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Thu Jun 09 2016 - 20:08

Padraig Harrington suffered a miserable start to the FedEx St Jude Classic on Thursday with a first round 77 leaving him way down the leaderboard.

The Irishman hit eight bogeys, four on the front nine and three off his last five holes - his sole birdie coming on the par four seventh.

Also struggling after his first round at TPC Southwind was Graeme McDowell who carded a disappointing 73. Despite two of five birdies coming early on at the second and third holes - four bogeys on the front, and again on the back nine cancelled out all of his good work.

In a share of the clubhouse lead is Seung-Yul Noh of South Korea and American Tom Hoge, both five under. The duo are just one shot clear of Jamie Donaldson, Dustin Johnson and Brian Gay. A double bogey on the 14th left Phil Mickelson level par for the round.

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Meanwhile Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke has pulled out of next week's US Open at Oakmont in Pennsylvania, citing poor form and his ongoing commitments as Europe's Ryder Cup captain.

The 47-year-old has missed the cut in six of his last seven tournament starts while his world ranking has plunged to 670th.

“I’m currently dedicating all of my time to our preparations for the Ryder Cup and unfortunately the US Open is not the place to be when your game isn’t 100 percent,” Clarke, the 2011 British Open champion, said in a statement.

“I’m very sorry to miss Oakmont but I’m sure it will be a brilliant week. I’ll certainly be watching very closely.”

Clarke has competed in 15 US Opens with a best finish of a tie for 10th in 1999, but has missed the cut in his last three appearances.

The US Open, the second of the year’s four major championships, will be played at Oakmont Country Club from June 16-19th.

The Ryder Cup will be held at Hazeltine National in Minnesota from September 30 to October 2nd when Clarke will lead holders Europe in their bid to win the trophy for a ninth time in 11 editions against the United States.