Padraig Harrington surges into mix ahead of Texas Open climax

A strong Saturday has propelled Padraig Harrington into the mix for a top 10 finish at the Texas Open.

The three-time major winner came into the third round off the back of a 73 on Friday which had pushed him down the leaderboard.

But his second 68 of the tournament has moved the Dubliner up to seven under and a tie for sixth, five shots off the lead held by the USA's Patrick Rodgers.

Texas Open leaderboard

Harrington made a slow start to the round, without a single birdie or bogey on the front nine.

But that all changed for the better on the back nine, starting with a birdie on the par-4 11th and following that up with two in a row on 14 and 15.

Harrington then sunk another putt on the 17th to leave himself poised for a strong finish to the final round of the tournament on Sunday.

At the top of the leaderboard, Rodgers is on 12 under after a 69 and he is one shot clear of Canada's Corey Conners.

Matt Kuchar is two shots further back on nine under after a costly double-bogey on the 18th dropped him down from second.