Ireland’s Padraig Harrington lies just two shots off the lead at the halfway stage of the Travelers Championship in Connecticut.
The three-time Major Champion shot a second consecutive 66 at TPC River Highlands to reach eight under par and share second place with American Patrick Reed.
Former Masters Tournament winner Bubba Watson leads on ten under par after the left-hander signed for a 67.
Last week’s US Open Championship winner Justin Rose showed little sign of fatigue with a 68 to be tied for 12th
on
five under.
Watson, who recorded his first career victory at the TPC River Highlands in 2010 and was runner-up last year, started on the back nine in his early-morning start and opened with a bogey before warming to his task thereafter.
The 2012 Masters Champion picked up birdies at the 13th, 16th, third and sixth holes to move to ten under overall.
"I was a little sluggish, waking up dead early after playing a good round, not really sleeping very much," said Watson.
"I was stiff at first, it showed the first few holes. I knew it was going to be a tough day, I made some putts and I just tried to play as steady as I could play.
"I love this place, I've always played well. It suits my eye. The tee shots, there's nothing that's too scary for me, it's treated me nicely."
After approaching the back nine
on
one under, Harrington's fortunes took a turn for the better with a run of four birdies in five holes, starting from the 12th, that moved him just one shot off the lead.
However, a bogey at the par four 17th dropped the Irishman back to eight under overall.
Reed endured similar fortunes by carding five birdies in 17 holes before blotting his copybook by dropping a shot at the last.
