US TOUR: Pádraig Harrington made a sluggish start on his seasonal US debut at the €4.6 million Northern Trust Open in California yesterday.

The Dubliner traded three bogeys with two birdies for a one-over 72 in yesterday’s opening round of the USPGA Tour event where Phil Mickelson is aiming for an unprecedented three wins in a row.

The world number two left-hander, who opted to remove the controversial Ping wedge with square grooves out of his bag this week, was one of the late starters at the Riviera Country Club.

American Dustin Johnson was the early clubhouse leader after shooting a 64 to lead by one shot from Argentina’s Andres Romero.