WGC-Bridgestone Invitational update: As overnight leader Vijay Singh took to the course for the third round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, Padraig Harrington had already completed his round in two-under 68 at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio today.

The British Open champion was one of the earlier starters after a disappointing 75 in the second round left him well down the field on four-over. However the Dubliner managed to pick up some ground with today's 68 that included four birdies and two bogeys.

Although the 36-year-old is surely too far off Singh's seven-under overnight lead from the second round, today's round was a vast improvement compared to the wayward golf en route to his 75. Another good round in tomorrow's final round of the €5million event will go some way to Harrington's preparation as he turns attentions to next week's US PGA Championship at Oakland Hills.

Darren Clarke is currently best of the Irish on four-under after the Dungannon man opened with three birdies in four holes. Despite a dropped shot at the seventh he added further birdies at the eighth and 11th and was three off the lead with four holes to play.

Paul McGinley was a shot further back on three-under in the early stages of his round. The Dubliner started with three pars.

Graeme McDowell had a strange introduction to his third round as a bogey five at the first was followed by an eagle three at the next. Since then the 28-year-old parred the next 10 holes to be level for the tournament with five to play.

Singh set off at 7.10pm (Irish time) in the final pairing alongside world number two Phil Mickelson, who one stroke back at six-under.
 
The Fijian insisted he will not be worrying about anything his rival is doing as they negotiate the Firestone Country Club's par-70, 7,400-yard South Course.

"I'm going to go out there and play my heart out and try to shoot as low as I can and not really be concerned about what Phil does," Singh said last night.

"He's going to be focused on his game. I just hope we both have a good day."

Several other European players will be looking to make their move at the top of the
leaderboard with England's Lee Westwood best placed at five-under following a second-round 65, while Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain is a shot further back alongside Clarke, one ahead of McGinley.