Harrington puts pressure on Furyk in Order of Merit race

European Order of Merit winner Padraig Harrington roared back into contention during round three of the Nedbank Challenge at Sun City.

The Irishman reeled off five straight birdies from the third to the seventh hole to close to within two shots of overnight leader and defending champion Jim Furyk on eight under par.

This was largely thanks to some huge putts, including a 50-footer on the par-three fourth, a 15-footer on the fifth, a 25-footer on the sixth and a 30-footer on the seventh.

That closed him to within one shot of Furyk but he dropped his first shot of the day at the eighth to give the champion some breathing room.

Harrington appears to have mastered the front nine on the course but his performances over the first two days suggest he may struggle to maintain his momentum after the turn.

Last-placed Colin Montgomerie restored some pride following a quintuple bogey at the 11th hole yesterday by birdying it today.

He was one under for the day going into the 13th hole, but still seven over for the tournament.