Paddy's Ready For Sing Song

Nov 16 2008 Bernie Mcguire In Singapore

OPEN champion Padraig Harrington bagged a closing brace of birdies to boost his hopes of ending his best season with victory in the rain-hit Singapore Open.

The Irishman produced the equal best score of the £3.5million event - a five under par 66 - for a five under total after a third round less than half the field completed.

Clubhouse leader Harrington's 66 left him four behind Thailand's Chapchai Nirat who carded three birdies and an eagle in 12 holes to move to nine under.

Nirat is two in front of England's Simon Dyson, Thomas Bjorn of Denmark - both with seven holes left of their third round - and Singapore's Lam Chih Bing.

Harrington was sharing fifth with fellow Irishman Rory McIlroy, South African Ernie Els, India's Jeev Milka Singh and World No.3 Phil Mickelson who all had a handful of holes to play.

Padraig had earlier grabbed a birdie hat-trick from the ninth but it was seeing a sixth birdie of the round disappear in to the cup at the last that delighted the Dubliner.

He grabbed his cap and began waving it in joy ahead of his final round of his final event of a sensational year.

Harrington said: "It was nice to finish off my round with two birdies because who knows how important they might be.

"It's only two shots but it feels a big difference to finish five under instead of three so I'm happy about that.

"I'm also pleased to have completed my round because that will guarantee me about two-and-ahalf hours extra in bed in the morning.

"It might not be a huge advantage but it should be enough to give me a slight edge - it's all looking good."

Harrington, who also lifted the US PGA title this year, is no stranger to winning in Asia after successes in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.

He said: "I've got a good record in Asia and it would be nice to endmy year with a first win in Singapore.

"I'm probably going to be in one of the last three groups and if I can shoot something similar then I'll definitely have a chance.

"I wouldn't say I am on top form but I am looking forward to it."

Dyson was six under at the start of play and picked up a shotwith a birdie on the fourth while parring all the other 10 holes he played.

He said: "My game feels good. I'm playing all right."

The Yorkshireman, who is feeling the effects of fatigue after playing at the Hassan II Golf Trophy in Morocco last week, added: "I normally like to attack stuff but I'm holding back a bit because I'm tired.

"I'm right in it though. I was bogey free yesterday and no dropped shots today which is a good thing.

"I'm playing with a bit of caution but hopefully I'll get a good night's sleep and come out blazing tomorrow."

McIlroy's drive towards a first pro tour win stalled when he bogeyed the 11th to drop back to a five under just before the end of play.

The 19-year-old Belfast star had birdied three holes in succession from the sixth And while McIlroy is still well placed to win he need only finish in the top 45 to break through the one million euro barrier in career cash and make him golf's youngest player ever to reach that total.

Mickelson, who lost his World No.2 ranking to Spain's Sergio Garcia last week, said: "I'm happy with my play.

"I'll need to make a few birdies because there are a lot of good players in front of me."