Wi problem for Padraig

By Brian Keogh

Padraig Harrington had a Wi problem in his bid for the $5.5 million Honda Classic in Florida

Just three behind leader Charlie Wi starting the day, the Dubliner found himself seven behind the South Korean late in his second round at Palm Beach Gardens.

The European No 1 got off to an ideal start when he fired his approach to just seven feet at the first and knocked in the putt to get to three under par.

But he found life tougher after that, dropping four shots in the space of six holes in difficult scoring on the revamped, par 70 Champion Course.

Birdie chances slipped past the hole at the third, fourth and fifth before he was forced to hole a 15 footer for a bogey at the sixth after a wild drive.

Another bogey at the ninth, where he was bunkered twice, left him on one under for the tournament.

But after holing a 20 footer to save par at the 525 yard par-four 10th, he ran up a disastrous double bogey six at the 11th to crash to one over par.

Leader Wi had run up a triple bogey seven on the same hole earlier in the day before bouncing back with four birdies in the next five holes to lead on six under.

But Harrington was kicking himself after dumping his 170 yard approach from the middle of the fairway into the lake to run up a nasty six.

Hopes of a bounce back birdie at the 12th ended with Harrington hanging his head in his hands as a solidly struck 15 footer drifted past the lip.

While Harrington found his round getting away from him, playing partner Jim Furyk was hanging tough.

The world No 2 saved par from 20 feet at the 11th to remain one under par and then birdied the 12th to get within four of the lead.

But the American was livid at the next, where he bunkered his wedge from 120 yards and fell five behind Wi again.

Aussie Robert Allenby hit five birdies in a fine 68 to set the clubhouse target of five under par, two clear of Will MacKenzie who shot a 69.

Defending champion Luke Donald staged a brave second round comeback by following his opening 77 with a super 67 to lie on the projected four over par cut mark.