Harrington pulls clear after record 64

Irishman Padraig Harrington broke the record for the revamped Belfry course by two shots with an eight-under-par 64 in the third round of the Benson and Hedges International Open on Saturday.

Harrington's display left him well placed for his second European Tour win of the year, his 12-under-par total of 204 being five strokes better than playing-partner Phil Price of Wales and Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal.

Australian 19-year-old amateur Adam Scott, attempting to beat the pros like his great friend Aaron Baddeley did in the Australian Open, holds fourth place on 213.

Scott, featuring in his third European Tour event and again playing outstanding golf, was the first to break the record for the newly-laid course, shooting a 67.

Olazabal's 66 then bettered it before Harrington came in with his outstanding score, holing a succession of medium-range putts and two from the 15-18ft mark for his birdies.

Price stayed with him until double-bogeying the ninth and allowing Olazabal to catch him, but there was no touching Harrington as he aimed for his third career win.

He won in his rookie year of 1996 but then had to wait until early last month before ending a run of seven second places by winning the Sao Paulo Open.

Harrington was also five ahead when he had his maiden win, the Spanish Open, but the Irishman sounded a note of caution ahead of the final round.

"Plenty of players have lost from five in front, so nothing is guaranteed," he said. "I was five in front for my first win but that was a bit different.

"We played the last 36 holes in one day and I didn't have a night to sleep on it.

"But I hope I've gained in experience in the last four years, and I could need it. On this course you could end up taking double-bogey or worse at any time."

The leader's final-round strategy is to "hit off the first tee and find it and then hit it again".

Price knows enough about Harrington's game to be a threat. The pair were partners in the recent Seve Ballesteros Trophy against Europe.

Olazabal was in the side that beat them and the Spaniard is getting his game back on song after hard work perfecting his swing.

His eagle and five birdies after an early bogey showed he is close to his U.S. Masters-winning best.

Scott, who has been likened to Tiger Woods, revealed he plays with a club that used to belong to the world number one, and hits with it a similar distance to the American.

The Australian said: "It's a Titleist titanium 6.5 loft X200 steel. Tiger didn't like it. He gave it to our coach Butch Harmon who gave it to me.

"If I really hit one I can get the ball about 330 yards."

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