Dubliner Padraig Harrington could start the new European Tour season off with a win as he goes into the final round of the BMW Asian Open in Taiwan just one shot behind leader Maarten Lafeber. The former Dutch, Swiss and Spanish amateur champion had his overnight four shot lead cut down to one as Harrington carded a third round 68 while he himself could only manage a solid but uninspiring 71.
Lafeber carded consecutive rounds of 66 on the first two days of the event but this is not the first time that he has raced to the top of the leaderboard in the early stages of a tournament only to fall back over the Saturday and Sunday. However, the fact that he still sits on top of the leaderboard alone will give him confidence, although he knows with Ryder Cup star Harrington and South African Trevor Immelman immediately behind him in joint second, his position is under serious threat going into the final day of action.
Meanwhile, Ireland's Peter Lawrie is tied for 40th position on one-under in his first European Tour event.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
