May20 Harringtononcourse

Padraig Harrington leads by three shots going into the final round of The Irish Open.

If he can keep his cool and lift the title it will be the first time in 25 years that an Irishman has won the prestigious European Tour event.

Harrington shot a solid 71 to leave him four under for the tournament, three better of England’s Simon Wakefield and Welshman Bradley Dredge.

Harrington is aiming to be the first Irishman to win his national Open since John O’Leary’s 1982 success.

The crowds were fully behind the smiling Dubliner and he was clearly enjoying every moment.

“It felt all the way around like I was playing the final round of a tournament,” he said.  “Certainly coming up the 18th, and thinking I am going to have to go through it again tomorrow, another 18 holes of this, yet it did feel like it was a Sunday round.  It was that sort of atmosphere and that sort of attention out there.  It was very exciting playing.
 
“Obviously I have to use that to my advantage when I need and play it down when I have to.  It does make a big difference having the support.  So it’s a question of managing it well when you need a boost to allow the support to cheer you up, and at other times, you’ve got to keep yourself nice and level, and that’s the time you kind of play it down in your head.”

The course has played incredibly hard and Bradley Dredge’s 69 was a remarkable feat in such tough conditions.

He had three birdies in the last four holes and he was the only player to break 70 on Saturday.

“I hope it stays windy,” said Dredge. “I think that suits me better.  I don’t mind playing the wind.  I’m sort of used to it a bit now.  I don’t feel as though I’m hitting the ball great but my short game is where I want it and I think what’s that could help me win. If I shoot a low score tomorrow I have a chance.”

PICTURE BY: Getty Images