Padraig Harrington is relishing the challenge that awaits him later today - trying to hold off some of golf's biggest names to win the Players Championship in Florida.
Harrington, two ahead at halfway and three clear early in the third round, double-bogeyed the 442-yard seventh, but hit back for a two-under-par 70 and 11 under par aggregate of 205.
But by then Jay Haas, 10 years on from his last US Tour win and nine months away from being eligible for the senior circuit, had fired a 67 to join him out in front in the race for the Stg£780,000 first prize.
Harrington won a million dollars when he beat Tiger Woods head-to-head in the Target World Challenge in California in December, but that was an unofficial event and to be Players Champion - no European has managed that since Sandy Lyle in 1987 - would be his biggest achievement to date by far.
There is a forecast of bad weather for the closing 18 holes, but Harrington said: "I'll look forward to that. It's going to be a tough day regardless. I'll expect a few mishaps, but it should suit me."
"I think I like the test of being the hunted," said the Dubliner after a third-round 70 took him into the final 18 holes joint leader with 49-year-old American Jay Haas.
Two behind are former winners Davis Love and Fred Couples, plus defending champion Craig Perks, while Darren Clarke is three back in sixth spot and world number one Tiger Woods five behind in a tie for 12th.
"Leading is the hardest position to be in, but without doubt it's the place you want to be," added Harrington, who stands on the 11 under par total of 205.
Clarke matched Haas for the low round of the day with his 67 - five of his birdies came in a homeward 31 - while Woods finished with two birdies for a 68.
On his liking for "being the hunted", Harrington expanded: "It's why we play - to play under pressure. When you are leading the focus is on you and if you have a bad day everybody sees you.
"I'm not going to worry about that, but it's the ultimate test. I've always judged how good a player is on that scenario."