Tucker's Town, Bermuda (AP) - For nearly six hours they battled strong winds tricky greens at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf and at the end of it, just two shots separated Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk, and Retief Goosen at Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda.
Harrington and Furyk both finished the first round with two under par 68s, with Goosen back on a level par 70.
Goosen played the more solid golf of the three, starting with a run of seven straight pars, before he birdied the par four eighth. Bogeys at the ninth and 17th came either side of a second birdie at the tenth.
Trevor Immelman, the fourth member of the most exclusive tournament in golf, struggled, finishing with a six over par 76 after a back nine that saw him take double bogeys the 11th and 16th holes.
Difficult pin positions, undulating greens and swirling winds all contributed to a tough day for the four players with seven Major Championship titles between them.
"I think my experiences in The Open Championship, and helped today,” said Harrington.
"There were times when you couldn't get at the pin from certain places on the fairway, and understanding how to shape the ball in the wind was essential.
"But playing links golf you learn all these things and they help you when it comes to dealing with conditions like today."
Even if Harrington doesn't win tomorrow he has already added another award to his burgeoning collection this year. Yesterday he was named the PGA of America's 2008 Player of the Year, the first Irishman to receive the award.
The highlight of Jim Furyk's day was an eagle three at the par five 11th.
The American hit a driving iron off the tee, and then six iron to within four feet to give his round some momentum after an up-and-down front nine.
