Is Harrington golf's Liverpool FC?

Padraig Harrington believes he’s found something in his putting this week. Padraig Harrington is just four shots behind leader Jason Dufner at the halfway stage of the HP Byron Nelson Championship in Texas. But the question remains - Which way will he go on moving day?

Ranked 95th in the world, there is no doubt that the 40-year old Dubliner needs to start making positive moves forward over the next few months if he is to get back into the world’s elite and win a seventh Ryder Cup cap this September.

One of his former Ryder Cup team mates summed it up Harrington’s plight perfecly on SkySports last night when pointed out that Harrington was well placed in tied 15th on three under after a windy test at TOC Las Colinas.

“Padraig’s going through a transitional phase right now,” said David Howell, who could resist adding: “Then again, Padraig is always going through a transitional phase. He’s the Liverpool of golf.”

Harrington has always played the game with one eye on the distant horizon but he no longer has the luxury of time if he is to become a relevant player again and relive the glory days.

He has flirted with contention several times already this season but never manged to string four excellent rounds together. His putting has held him back but he appears to have that under pretty under control so far this week, taking 26 putts in yesterday’s two under effort.

“I think I’ve found something this week,” he said of his putting. “I like what I see so far.”

With 43 players covered by seven shots, the Byron Nelson promises to be a cavalry charge tomorrow.

Dufner leads by one from six players, including Players Championship winner Matt Kuchar, with US PGA champion Keegan Bradley just two behind.