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Welshman Jamie Donaldson tees off at the Irish Open - Source: Getty Images -
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Triple Major champion Padraig Harrington is hunting his first European Tour victory in four years, moving within two shots of the lead after the Irish Open third round today.
The 40-year-old carded a 72 for a 10-under tally of 206, one behind Englishman Anthony Wall (67) and two adrift of leader Jamie Donaldson of Wales (69). He's without a tour win since the 2008 US PGA Championship and Donaldson believes the Irishman will be a major threat in the final round, if not quite his biggest danger.
"Padraig is a class player, but it's me versus me really," the Welshman said, as he also bids to land his first trophy in 254 career starts.
"The only person I'm playing against, I suppose, is myself. I've got to stay out of my own way."
Harrington, who shares third spot with England's Mark Foster (73), has waited a long time to get back in the winners' circle and his level-par round in the wind and rain at Royal Portrush in County Antrim left the rest of the field wondering if tomorrow might be his day.
"You might think I'm the form card, but we're all going to have our little demons out there," said the 2007 and 2008 British Open champion.
Donaldson has had 32 top-10 finishes without achieving a breakthrough victory.
"I've had a few chances, but at the end of the day, I haven't been good enough so far to stand on the last green holding the trophy," said the 36-year-old. "You've got to keep trying and it's one shot at a time, one hole at a time."
World No. 2 Rory McIlroy will need to produce a spectacular final-round charge to revive his title chances after a 71 left him six strokes off the pace. Fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell carded a 73 for 212, while British Open champion Darren Clarke returned a 73 for 213.