Harrington may fall short in Dubai race

IN ANY other season Padraig Harrington could be pleased with third place in his defence of the shortened Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia.

But then this is not any other season with Harrington still starting at one of his poorest-ever years.

Needing an eagle to force a play-off with Dutchman Joost Luiten, Harrington sent his second shot into thick rough on the edge of a water hazard and under the lip of a retaining wall. His chip shot was short while his birdie attempt to share second place with Sweden’s Daniel Chopra was also wide of the mark in an eventual round of 69 to be among a trio in third place on 13-under par.