Harrington still in contention after rollercoaster round

Padraig Harrington was the leading European player during the third round of the Shell Houston Open today at six under par, but level par for the day with one hole to play after a rollercoaster round that featured an eagle, four birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey.

Overnight leader Bryce Molder was also level for the day at nine under for the week having played 14 holes, two shots behind American Joe Ogilvie, with two more Americans, Vaughn Taylor and Anthony Kim, also giving chase at nine under, both with two to play.

Lee Westwood’s hopes of a first US title in 12 years took a knock however as the Englishman finished his front nine with a double bogey, par, bogey and triple bogey to go out in 41

Former Open champion Justin Leonard and South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel had the rounds of the day in the clubhouse so far, both carding 67s to move to six under.

England’s Justin Rose bounced back from a level-par round on Friday to shoot a 70 and move to four under alongside Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson, who shot a 69.

World number three Phil Mickelson rebounded from a far worse second-round 76 with a 70 to get to one under while Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen’s 73 left him at even par for the week, alongside

Germany’s Alex Cejka (71) and Scotland’s Martin Laird, who fell away with a third-round 76.

South Africa’s Ernie Els was also going backwards having shot a 70 then a 74 in the wake of back-to-back wins in Florida at Doral and Bay Hill. Els posted a 75 today to slip to three over.