Padraig Harrington will take a one shot lead going into the final round of the BMW International Open which also happens to be the final counting event to determine the 10 automatic qualifiers who will make up the European Ryder Cup side.
The perennial runner-up, five times this season and 14 in all, upstaged his nine-under 63 from yesterday with a third round 62 to overtake John Daly at the top of the leaderboard. At 22-under (194) Harrington leads Daly by one shot as the ‘Wild Thing’ goes in search of his first win since raising the Claret Jug aloft after winning the 1995 Open at St. Andrews.
For the Dubliner though, who celebrated his 30th birthday yesterday, the German course has been something of a happy hunting ground.
"Two years ago knowing I needed second place to make the team was probably a hindrance in trying to beat Colin Montgomerie," said Harrington whose second place in this event earned him his Ryder Cup debut.
He was also very aware that this time round the priority is winning, "This time the agenda is clear, first place or nothing. I’ve had five seconds this year, so I have enough of those trophies on the mantelpiece," said Harrington.
Harrintgon started the day on 12-under before beginning a remarkable run from the third. Three birdies followed by an eagle three at the sixth were finished off with two more birdies at the seventh and eighth.
With only one bogey in three rounds, Harrington went on to complete the record equalling 62 with three more birdies in the last four holes.
Daly too, made an eagle at the sixth en route to his bogey free round of 68 and it now sets up a mouth-watering final pairing where Daly will be as determined to reach the winner’s circle as Harrington but they both have their different reasons.
Thomas Bjorn, last year’s winner, is loitering dangerously in third after carding his second 65 of the week. The Dane is three off the pace on 19-under par.
Paul McGinley, who secured his place in the Ryder Cup by simply making the cut, is determined to get more out of the week. The 34-year-old had six birdies and two bogeys in his round of 68 for a 12-under par 204 total.