Padraig Harrington hits course record at Senior PGA Championship

Padraig Harington has raced into the lead at the Champions Tour Senior PGA Championship – the second major of the season – after shooting a course record 64.

Harrington, who finished in a tie for 50th at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill last week, was in scintillating form at Fields Ranch East.

There wasn't a blemish on the Dubliner’s scorecard with eight birdies split evenly between the front and back nine to leave him sitting on eight-under-par.

Harrington finished in a tie for fifth in the first Champions Tour major of the season earlier this month – Steve Stricker prevailing at the Regions Tradition – and he looks set for another competitive week.

He holds a two-shot lead over Japan’s Katsumasa Miyamoto with YE Yang and Miguel Angel Jiminez among the later finishers trying to close the gap late on Thursday night.

Stewart Cink, who turned 50 on Sunday and is making his debut at this level, was on three-under-par midway through his back nine.