Ireland's Harrington grabs lead at PGA Grand Slam

SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda (AFP) - Ireland's Padraig Harrington fired a five-under par 66 on Tuesday to seize a two-stroke lead over Masters champion Bubba Watson after the opening round of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

The four-man, 36-hole showdown for a US$600,000 (S$735,000) top prize at Bermuda's Port Royal Golf Course was designed to feature the year's four major champions.

But three-time major champion Harrington replaced British Open winner Ernie Els, the South African bowing out with a left ankle sprain, to become the only non-American in this year's field.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, the PGA Championship winner, withdrew to play a European Tour event in China, being replaced by defending event champion Keegan Bradley, the 2011 PGA Championship winner.