Padraig Harrington edges ahead - Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2007

The Irishman playing a steady game, shot a four-under-par 68 for a 13-under-par total of 203, one stroke ahead of the Peter Hansen, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Shiv Kapur.

Overnight leader Phillip Price of Britain stayed within striking distance after firing a one-under-par 71 to occupy the lone third place at 11-under-par 205.

Ireland's Harrington made a tremendous start to his third round, picking up three birdies in his first four holes but bogeyed the eighth to turn at two under. Birdies on the 12th and 18th further consolidated his round.

"With three guys just behind me and a few little further back, I will have to be prepared well to win tomorrow," he said.

Harrington, who is trying new irons and a new driver this week, said: "I would have liked to be about 16 or 17-under after the start I had. That would have taken the eight-unders out of contention. But it is too close to call right now. I just have to look at the fact that I will have to play another 18 holes of good golf tomorrow."

India's Kapur said he was happy with the way he had played. "The putts refused to drop in the middle of the round but I did not get frustrated and hung on there. I am not too concerned about the leaderboard and want to play my own game tomorrow."

Hanson, who recently became a father said he would like to win for his daughter.

"I was very happy with my 68 yesterday and this 66 is even better. And looking at my sequence of scores, I think I will make a 64 tomorrow," the Swede said.

Jimenez said before the tournament he had practised for almost a month while on a skiing holiday in Grenada.

"I don't know how I managed to score like this. One month without touching the clubs. I just wanted to do something different and decided to go skiing.