Ireland's Padraig Harrington is just three shots behind leader Tiger Woods after the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic. Woods has played almost flawless golf throughout this tournament so far but today he suffered a mid-round crisis when he bogeyed the 8th, 10th and 12th before he redeemed himself with four birdies in the last six holes to notch up a third round 68, leaving him at 20 under par, one shot ahead of Denmark's Thomas Bjorn in second spot.
"It wasn't one of my easier rounds," the world number one admitted afterwards. "I hit a couple of squirty putts, but I was proud at the way I got it back. These things happen - anybody who has played golf knows that. The game of golf is pretty fickle at times," he added.
Meanwhile, Dubliner Padraig Harrington did brilliantly today to shoot a 64 but he was upset that he failed to make birdies on the final two holes of his round, blaming the fact that two different tees were used. "You know it's going to happen, but it adds doubt about what your target is and what you are doing. I play practice rounds to see what the course is like and I would like to have covered the options, but you can't do everything," he said.
The Irish are doing very well at this tournament so far with Paul McGinley joint 5th at 15 under par. Eamonn Darcy is at 11 under par with Des Smyth at 10 under. Darren Clarke is further back at six under par.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
