Harrington loses ground

Padraig Harrington gave himself a real mountain to climb in his bid to be European number one when he bogeyed the first two holes of his final round in the Volvo Masters at Valderrama.

Harrington resumed in 13th place and needing a top three finish, but the errors dropped him back to 19th.

It looked like the Dubliner might require second place any way as Paul Casey covered the first 12 holes in one under to remain 32nd.

David Howell and Robert Karlsson were the other two contenders. They teed off again in a tie for eighth, but had to finish first or second.

Karlsson was the one to make a move forward early, his birdie at the long fourth lifting him into a tie for fifth place on one under. But anything worse than second on his own was no good to the tall Swede.

Harrington had birdied the same hole, but was still only joint 15th at two over, while after four holes Howell remained level par and was ninth.

Singh's two opening pars kept him one ahead of Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Johan Edfors in the tournament.