PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON began this year’s Northern Trust Open in California in impressive fashion last night, carding a three-under-par 68.

An eagle three immediately after the turn was the highlight of the Irishman’s round, which included two birdies and a bogey.

Last year, despite playing on the Saturday of the tournament, a total of 145 saw Harrington miss the cut in Los Angeles.

Play was suspended due to rain on the Friday after Harrington had completed 16 holes – two-over-par and on the cut line. He started on the Saturday at the 17th and bogeyed the par five before making a par on the 18th. Had he completed the final two holes in regulation, he would have made the cut.

Ominously, showers are again expected this evening at the Riviera Country Club, but Harrington has put himself in a much stronger position this year, unlike many of the pre-tournament favourites.

Last year’s winner Steve Stricker made just one birdie to three bogeys, ending at two-over and a first round 73. Both Dustin Johnson and Zach Johnson also finished at two-over.

And the reigning FedEx Cup champion, Jim Furyk, also struggled throughout the day, ending with a four-over 75.

Meanwhile, Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen grabbed the clubhouse lead at the fog-hit Avantha Masters yesterday with a blemish-free opening round that lifted his hopes of winning a bet with his caddie.

The twice European Tour winner ignored a swirling wind to card a six-under 66 for a one-shot advantage over Briton Mark Foster, Argentine Julio Zapata and Darren Beck, who still has five holes to play in New Delhi.

Australian Beck is among 66 players who will return this morning to complete their rounds after fog caused a delay of more than three hours.

Both Irish competitors at the tournament will have to complete their first rounds today, with Paul McGinley only getting through eight holes before the early finish to the first day’s action.

The Dubliner began his round with a triple-bogey on the par-four first. A birdie on the third hole was cancelled out by a bogey on the fifth and so McGinley sits near the bottom of the leaderboard.

Much further up the table is Gareth Maybin, who carded two birdies and a single bogey in his 10 completed holes.

At the top, Derksen is already thinking about winning the tournament. “If things go well this week I have a bet with my caddie that we will take the trophy to the Taj Mahal on Monday,” he told reporters at the DLF Golf and Country Club yesterday.

“That would be great, but I have to win first which is the difficult thing,” added the 37-year-old Derksen who held off Ernie Els to win the 2003 Dubai Desert Classic and also lifted the 2005 Madeira Islands Open title.

Jeev Milkha Singh and Rashid Khan posted matching 68s to spearhead the Indian challenge.

Nursing a back injury, the 39-year-old Singh had an eventful round that included finding water, a two-stroke penalty for overlooking a local rule after his ball hit a floodlight tower and a closing eagle on the par-five ninth.

“My iron play was great and I was feeling good on the putts. The course is in excellent shape but the conditions were a little tricky due to the wind,” said Singh.

Defending champion Andrew Dodt of Australia was even-par after seven holes.