Rumford finds his form

Brett Rumford birdied three of the first four holes to turn a one-stroke deficit into a two-stroke lead over fellow Australian Peter Lonard in the final round of the Nissan Irish Open at County Louth today.

Rumford’s burst also left Padraig Harrington with four shots still to make up after he reached the turn in a three-under 34.

When Harrington birdied the opening three holes and then the long sixth as well he was up to joint second place, but the Dubliner, trying to become the first home winner since John O’Leary in 1982, then bogeyed the short seventh.

Fellow Irishman Paul McGinley, up from 67th to fourth with his third-round 66, birdied the fourth, but was five behind Rumford at seven under.

Rumford, 103rd on this season's European Order of Merit and 267th in the world, stretched his advantage to three when Lonard bogeyed the short seventh, the hole on which he ran up a six yesterday.

Harrington, though, birdied the 12th and then made a 30-foot putt two holes later to go second on his own and only two behind at 10 under.