Harrington hits back nine with four-shot lead

Padraig Harrington is firmly on course to become the first home winner of the Irish Open in 25 years.

Harrington took a three-shot lead into the final round at Adare Manor and had increased his advantage to four after the front nine.

The 35-year-old Dubliner, watched by John O'Leary, the last Irishman to win the title in 1982, got off to a shaky start when he fluffed a chip to bogey the second, but bounced back with a birdie on the next.

Another bogey on the fifth after a poor drive saw his lead down to a single shot as England's Simon Wakefield, playing in the group in front, birdied the seventh.

Roared on by large and vocal home support, Harrington then birdied the seventh and eighth and went one better with a superb eagle on the par-five ninth - holing from 10ft - to move to seven under par.

Wakefield was in second on three under alongside Wales' Bradley Dredge, who birdied the ninth in the final group alongside Harrington.