PALM HARBOR, Florida, March 16, 2012 (AFP) - Jason Dufner seized a two-shot lead at the US PGA Tour's Transitions Championship Friday as overnight leader Padraig Harrington failed to find the dazzling form he displayed just a day before.
Harrington, who opened the tournament with a course-record 61 on Thursday, settled for a two-over par 73 on Friday to fall two shots behind Dufner, who carded a second successive 66 and has yet to make a bogey on the par-71 Copperhead Course at Innisbrook.
Harrington, whose 22 putts on Thursday included a 75-footer, couldn't get the putts to drop on Friday.
The three-time major champion missed four putts from within 10 feet, taking 33 putts overall.
Dufner, seeking a first US PGA Tour title after 159 starts, had a 10-under total of 132.
Harrington was on eight-under 134, where he was joined by William McGirt, who carded a 68.
England's Luke Donald, who could regain the world number one ranking with a victory this week, posted a 68 to lead a group of five players on 135.
He was joined by South Korea's Sang-Moon Bae (66), Ken Duke (67), Chris Couch (68) and George McNeill (68).
It was a further shot back to Australian John Senden, Spain's Sergio Garcia, Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry were on 136.
Leading second-round scores here on Friday in the US PGA Tour's $5.5 million Transitions Championship (USA unless noted, par-71):
132 - Jason Dufner 66-66
134 - Padraig Harrington (IRL) 61-73, William McGirt 66-68
135 - Chris Couch 67-68, George McNeill 67-68, Luke Donald (ENG) 67-68, Sang-Moon Bae (KOR) 69-66, Ken Duke 68-67
136 - Jim Furyk 66-70, John Senden (AUS) 66-70, Sergio Garcia (ESP) 68-68, Kenny Perry 66-70
137 - Chris DiMarco 70-67, Jason Bohn 66-71, Webb Simpson 68-69, Justin Rose (ENG) 67-70, Jamie Lovemark 70-67, Jeff Overton 68-69, Cameron Tringale 66-71, Kevin Streelman 68-69, Ernie Els (RSA) 70-67, Retief Goosen (RSA) 69-68, Jerry Kelly 69-68, Scott Piercy 69-68
138 - Kevin Chappell 69-69, Bryce Molder 67-71, John Mallinger 72-66, Bo Van Pelt 70-68, Andres Romero (ARG) 70-68, Chez Reavie 68-70, Michael Thompson 68-70, Kyle Reifers 70-68, Will Claxton 64-74