Irishman Padraig Harrington seized the first-round lead with a seven-under 64 on Thursday at The Barclays, the first tournament of the PGA Tour playoffs. Harrington has a one-stroke lead over Nick Watney and Brian Harman, who both fired six-under 65s on the Bethpage course. Harrington is hoping a strong showing at the event will convince European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal to make him one of his two captain’s picks. Sergio Garcia, of Spain, shot a 66 and shares fourth place with Pat Perez, England’s Gary Christian and Jimmy Walker. Garcia won last week at the Wyndham Championship. American Tiger Woods is part of a group tied for 14th after carding a three-under 68. Defending champion Dustin Johnson is one stroke ahead of FedEx Cup points leader Woods in eighth. While The Barclays is the first of four PGA Tour playoff events, a more immediate concern for Harrington is the Ryder Cup. He cannot make the European team on points so he needs to show Olazabal that he is worthy to compete in his seventh straight Ryder Cup.
