Golf: Harrington riding high in Munich

Life appears to have begun again at 30 for Padraig Harrington - and Welshman Phillip Price will be hoping it goes on for one more day at least.

After shooting his lowest-ever round on European soil on his birthday on Friday, Dubliner Harrington went one better with a 62 in Munich.

And as a result he goes into the final round of the BMW International Open - also the final event of the year-long race for places in Europe's Ryder Cup team - with a one-stroke lead over American John Daly on the 22-under-par total of 194.

With Dane Thomas Bjorn the only player in close touch, Price - already back home after missing the halfway cut - remains on course to clinch the last automatic place in Sam Torrance's side for The Belfry at the end of the month.

Price will be home and dry if two of the three overnight leaders - any two of them - finish first and second.

But it is not quite time to get the champagne out.

Frenchman Thomas Levet, who has to win to knock out Price, had a 64 and in joint fourth place, six strokes back, believes he still has a chance to pull it off.

Harrington's round matched the course record, but will not count for record purposes because of placing on the saturated fairways. The day had begun with a two-hour rain delay.

It is not looking good for Jose Maria Olazabal, though. After his 62 on Friday the Spaniard could follow it up with only a 70 and is now eight adrift.

With Sergio Garcia just one better after finishing with a bogey six for a 69, it looks as though Torrance will have to choose between Olazabal and Jesper Parnevik for his second wild card.

Torrance has already guaranteed Garcia one if he fails to win this week. Andrew Oldcorn, Ian Woosnam and Andrew Coltart, all requiring second place to oust Price, are 25th, 32nd and 76th respectively.