Harrington hits masterly form in perfect time

PADRAIG Harrington looks to be running into top form with the Masters starting a fortnight on Thursday. The 38-year-old Dubliner took a one-stroke lead into the third round of the Transitions Championship at Palm Harbor yesterday.

A six-under-par 65 on Friday was his low round of the season and pushed defending champion Retief Goosen, Swede Carl Pettersson and American Jim Furyk into joint second place. "I'm capable of winning in the form I'm in," said Harrington. "Am I in my best form? No. Am I getting there? Yes.

Asked about the possibility of being paired with Tiger Woods on the opening two days at Augusta, he said: "If you're going to choose a golf course for it to happen, Augusta is the place. It is as ordered as can be there, so I for one would be quite comfortable if I got drawn with Tiger."

Ian Poulter missed the cut on Friday, but Ross Fisher is four-under, Luke Donald three-under, Martin Laird two-under, Justin Rose one further back after a 68 last night.

South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen produced a nine-under-par 64 to take a two-shot lead over Welshman Rhys Davies after the third round of the Hassan Trophy in Morocco.

Oosthuizen picked up ten birdies to one bogey on the Red course to move on to 20 under par for the tournament. Davies shot a 68 to sit two clear of France's Thomas Levet and another South African, Thomas Aiken. The 24-year-old Welshman picked up three shots on the back nine after four birdies and two bogeys on the front nine to keep himself firmly in contention going into the final round. Scot Stephen Gallacher was lagging ten shots behind.

Scotland's Vikki Laing, in joint second place overnight, finished in a share of sixth after a final round of one over par 73 in yesterday's Lalla Meryem Cup at Royal Golf Anfa Mohammediain in Morocco. It was a career best finish on the Ladies' European Tour for the 29-year-old.

Germany's Anja Monke won her third Tour title thanks to a last day 69. On eight under par, she finished one ahead of the veteran Swede, Carin Koch, who led after the first and second rounds but slipped back with a 71.

Comrie's 17-year-old Carly Booth marked her professional debut by finishing in a tie for 40th place after a closing 74. Fifer Krystle Caithness shot a three under par 69 and moved into the top 15 on one under par, while Ayrshire's Pamela Feggans had a disappointing 78 for two over. Lynn Kenny, the fifth Scot to make the cut, shot 73 for three over.

Raymond Russell had to settle for a share of fifth place in the Allianz Tour's 45,000 French International at Golf d'Hossegor yesterday

after spilling five shots on his last three holes, closing with a three-under 68 for a ten-under 274. He finished six shots behind Spain's Ivo Giner, who won by a stroke with 268.

Perth rookie Gavin Dear signed off with a 70 for 280.