Harrington retains lead in WGC

Padraig Harrington is preparing to go into battle against Tiger Woods in the final round of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational after admitting no lead is big enough to guarantee victory.

Harrington kept a charging Woods at bay on Saturday and will take a three-shot advantage into their final-round showdown at Firestone Country Club.

The Irishman, reigning US PGA champion, shot a five-birdie, two-bogey 67 in the rain in Ohio to lead the tournament at 10 under par.

Six-time winner Woods fired a five-under-par 65 to move to seven under.

“I'm obviously happy with my day's work," Harrington said.

“The key is to keep breaking 70 and make sure if anyone else is going to win this tournament they're going to have to play well.”

“On the back nine I was really pushing hard to put some room between me and the field and there was a nice feeling. There wasn't quite the defensive sort of position I was in maybe the last couple of days.”

Harrington also said that he’s preparing himself for a long fight with Woods in the final round.

“I realise I'm going to have a difficult day, that's for sure. This golf course has obviously been very good for Tiger, he's played well here in the past and done well so I don't think anything is going to be easy tomorrow.

“Probably at best it's going to be a long, hard day and a battle. That's what I'm going to prepare myself for.”

None of the other Irish are in contention at Firestone with Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry all over par.