Harrington leads PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda

Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton Bermuda played host to the first round of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

The 36-hole exhibition tournament, that started yesterday, is for the year's four major champions.

Keegan Bradley, who replaced PGA champion Rory McIlroy, stuck his second shot on the 10th hole to within birdie range.

It was one of the few birdies on the day for Bradley, finishing at one-over 72 after the first round.

Padraig Harrington, skipped the BMW Masters in Shanghai to play in Bermuda.

The Irishman filled in for Open Championship winner Ernie Els, who missed out because of a minor ankle injury.

Harrington's 5 under round of 66 included seven birdies, one of which came at the 10th home, helped by his wonderful approach shot. That birdie put Harrington into the lead and he never looked back.

Masters champion Bubba Watson, sank a birdie putt on the 11th hole for his third birdie putt for the round.

The last of the foursome, U.S. Open champion, Webb Simpson, smacked a wonderful approach shot on the 12th hole to set up his third birdie of the day.

Simpson was solid for most of the round, and finished with a two-under 69.

The fight for the top spot was between the Harrington and the Masters champion, Watson.

Harrington started a hot run of birdies, beginning at the 14th hole. Harrington sank the putt from ten feet away to move to four-under par.

The shot of the day came from Watson on the 15th hole - he saw his ball lying in the deep rough, but was able to produce a wonder shot that set him up for a six-foot putt for birdie and the American sunk the birdie to go to two-under par.

But Harrington continued his string of birdies with another on the 15th hole, which he guided in from distance to move to five-under par.

Watson has one more birdie in him as well, on the 17th hole.

Of the four, Watson is closest to Harrington, but for a couple of three-putts, he could well have had the clubhouse lead overnight.

But it's Harrington who holds a two shot lead, a birdie at the 17th hole strengthened his advantage over Watson.

The winner gets USD$600,000 (RM1.8 million) from the USD$1.35 million (RM4.13 million) purse.

Harrington is trying to become the first European winner since Ian Woosnam of Wales in 1991.