Dufner seizes lead at Palm Harbor PGA

Jason Dufner seized a two-shot lead at the US PGA Transitions Championship on Friday as overnight leader Padraig Harrington failed to find the dazzling form he displayed just a day before.

Harrington, who opened the tournament with a course-record 61 on Thursday, settled for a two-over par 73 on Friday to fall two shots behind Dufner, who carded a second successive 66 and has yet to make a bogey on the par-71 Copperhead Course at Innisbrook.

Harrington, whose 22 putts on Thursday included a 75-footer, couldn’t get the putts to drop on Friday.

The three-time major champion missed four putts from within 10 feet, taking 33 putts overall.

Dufner, seeking a first US PGA Tour title after 159 starts, had a 10-under total of 132.

Harrington was on eight-under 134, where he was joined by William McGirt, who carded a 68.

England’s Luke Donald, who could regain the world No.1 ranking with a victory this week, posted a 68 to lead a group of five players on 135.

He was joined by South Korea’s Sang-Moon Bae (66), Ken Duke (67), Chris Couch (68) and George McNeill (68).

It was a further shot back to Australian John Senden, Spain’s Sergio Garcia, Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry who were on 136.

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