Padraig Harrington cruises to lead at halfway point of U.S. Senior Open at Saucon Valley Country Club

BETHLEHEM — Padraig Harrington played about as stress-free a round of golf Friday as is possible in a U.S. Senior Open, where the U.S. Golf Association tests contestants to the max on one of the nation’s most difficult courses.

Harrington, 50, a three-time major championship winner from Ireland competing in his first U.S. Senior Open, cruised around the Old Course of Saucon Valley Country Club without a bogey in the second round and posted a 6-under-par 65 to take a 1-stroke lead over Steve Stricker at the halfway point.

The only drama during the day, Harrington admitted, came while he was on the practice area before his round.

“I broke my driver in the middle of the warmup,” he said. “I had to replace the driver I played with (Thursday). This one flew a little higher, a bit more spin, so it was a little different.”

It didn’t matter. Harrington hit 16 of 18 greens in his second round and needed only 29 putts. He extended his streak of holes without a bogey to 28. His last of six birdies, a 6-footer at No. 8, broke a tie with Stricker.

“I knew with the better weather today just stay patient,” he said. “I holed a few putts. They didn’t drop (Thursday), and I holed a few putts on the first green, and that gives you momentum.”

Stricker, winner of the season’s first Champions major, the Regions Tradition, birdied his last three holes to finish with a 69 and a 36-hole score of 137. Former club professional Rob Labritz fired his second straight 69 and stood in third place at 138.

Jay Haas, 68, the first round co-leader, led a five-player bunch at 139 that included Steven Alker, the tour’s top money winner, and Rocco Mediate.

Stricker parred 13 of his first 15 holes in the second round and told his caddie that he wanted to close with one or two birdies on his last three holes. He did one better, going three-for-three.

“I wasn’t thinking three; maybe I should have been,” he said. “I just wanted to get back to even for the day.”

Defending champion Jim Furyk flirted with the cut of 5-over-par 147 and came in at the number after a second-round 76.

Two Philadelphia Section PGA pros completed their Senior Open. Dave McNabb of Applebrook Golf Club had a 78 for 153, and Mike Molino of Country Club of Scranton carded a 75 for 159.