Harrington boosts wildcard chance

Padraig Harrington helped his Ryder Cup chances by shooting a 64 to claim the early lead at the Barclays Tournament in Farmingdale.

The Irishman's seven-under-par round at the New York course gave him a one-shot lead over Americans Nick Watney and Brian Harman and he has given himself a chance of gaining a wildcard place on the Ryder Cup team. Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal names his two wildcards on Monday and while Harrington cannot qualify for one of the 10 automatic places in the squad, he is hoping to be one of the Spaniard's two wilcard picks, although Ian Poulter looks certain to be one of the choices for next month's match at Medinah. But Olazabal, at Gleneagles this week for the Johnnie Walker Championship, said it would take "at least" a victory for Harrington on Sunday to put him in the frame for selection. "I don't know where I sit. Or maybe I do," Harrington, who is searching for his first US tour title since the 2008 USPGA Championship. "I'm not going to build myself up or I'm not going to tear myself down. At the end of the day, it's up to him."