Harrington keeps chasing pack at bay

A level par round of 70 was enough to see Padraig Harrington extend his lead to a daunting six shots ahead of the final day of the Irish PGA Championship.

The defending champion, fine tuning his game on the links of the European Club as he prepares for another tilt at next week's British Open title, is on level-par for the tournament and enjoys a comfortable advantage over Philip Walton.

And with Robert Giles, Eammon Darcy and David Higgins a further two back on eight-over, one suspects the championship is Harrington's to lose in Brittas Bay tomorrow afternoon.

Collated Scores

213- P Harrington (Unattached) 75, 68, 70.

219- P Walton (Unattached) 73,73,73;

221- D Higgins (Waterville) 80,72,69; E Darcy (Le Salle) 75,73,73; R Giles (Greenore) 73,73,75;

222- J Dignam (Slade Valley) 78,72,72;

223- G Robinson (Coollattin) 77,73,73; E Brady (Clontarf GC) 74, 72, 77.

224- W O'Callaghan (Carrighdoun GR) 75,76,73;

226- D Mortimer (Team Ireland) 74,78,74; B McGovern (Headfort) 76,74,76; D Mooney (Nevada Bobs) 80,71,75;

228- E Tracey (Ballina) 76,78,74; M Staunton (Black Bush) 81,74,73;

230- S Thornton (Royal Co Down) 77,77,76; J Kelly (St Margaret's) 76,75,79; M Collins (Mallow DR) 72,77,81;

232- G Burke (Curragh) 78,77,77;

234- D McNamara (Portmarnock) 82,76,76; C McVitty (Bundoran) 78,78,78; P Martin (Riverside Academy) 79,74,81;

235- A Murray (Greystones) 84,75,76; J Dwyer (Ashbourne) 78,81,76; J Langan (Leopardstown Golf Ctr) 79,78,78;

237- J Geraghty (Old Conna) 83,78,76; J Heggarty (Claremorris) 80,76,81;

238- C Mallon (Narin & Portnoo) 81,79,78; B Kelleher (Golf Works Cork) 84,73,81; G Lunney (Naas) 76,78,84; I Kerr (Carlow DR) 82,74,82;

239- J Foster (Greenacres) 81,79,79; E O'Connor (Kilkenny) 71,88,80; M Mulryan (Athenry) 84,73,82;

240- L Walker (Dundalk) 82,79,79; DP (Royal Portrush) 82,77,81; T Higgins (TH Golf) 75,81,84; S Deegan (Spawell) 79,74,87;

241- J Fay (Co Meath) 80,80,81; F Howley (Carton House) 87,73,81; B Kerley (Greenlife GR) 86,74,81; P Jones (Coollattin) 78,80,83; K O'Neill (Co Sligo) 75,81,85;

242- D Hughes (Portadown) 82,78,82; K Grealy (Athlone) 81,79,82;

243- D Byrne (Unattached) 78,80,85;

244- M McTernan (Co Sligo) 80,78,86; J Bolger (KilkennY) 77,80,87;

245- J Murray (Malahide) 79,81,85; ;

246- P Hanna (Fortwilliam) 81,80,85;

NR- N Graham (Kirkistown Castle);