Harrington four back as Lefty shines

Padraig Harrington dropped three shots in the final three holes to sit four shots behind joint leader Phil Mickelson going into the final round of the Shell Houston Open in Texas.

Sitting comfortably, one shot off the lead after fifteen, Harrington hit three successive bogeys, but remains in contention after hitting a two-under par round of 70.

Mickelson is the man to chase after the current Masters champion ripped up the course at Redstone Golf Club to match the course record with a nine under 63.

After starting with back-to-back two-under-par 70s, Mickelson predicted he would need to 'go low' in his third round to move into contention, and no-one has gone lower on this tournament course.

Mickelson's immaculate round left him level with fellow American Scott Verplank on 13-under-par 203.

Verplank, who began the week by shooting a 73, went round in his second straight 65.

Australian Aaron Baddeley and another US player, Steve Kirk, were one shot behind after their respective third rounds of 66 and 69.

Canada's David Hearn (66) and former US Ryder Cup star Anthony Kim (69) will be within striking distance heading into the final round, after reaching 11 under.

Steve Stricker held seventh place on 10 under by himself, ahead of a four-man tie on nine under involving Nate Smith, Hunter Mahan and Robert Allenby