Padraig Harrington was unable to make any headway from his dawn-patrol start on the third day of the European Open at the K-Club today.
The world number eight started brightly enough but a lack of sharpness in his game at present left the Dubliner way off the pace on three over after a third consecutive 73 at the 2006 Ryder Cup venue.
"I need to get in shape mentally, sharpen up and get more focused," said Harrington with one eye on the Open at Royal St George's in a fortnight.
"I've got to make the most out of my scores instead of making the worst, which is what I'm doing at the moment," explained Harrington who was still upbeat despite being out of contention in this tournament.
"This doesn't affect my confidence at all," he said, "I made the cut this week, didn't I," joked Harrington referring to the crucial birdie putt he made from off the green at the 18th last night to sneak in for the weekend.
And playing in a tournament is better for Harrington than missing the cut and working on the range for right now. "I'm better to be out there playing than not and right now I get more work done out there than on the range."
Harrington made the ideal start with a birdie at the opening hole followed by another at the par five fourth, which brought the 31-year-old back to level par for the tournament. But it was a false dawn, as Harrington didn't make another birdie all day. Instead he dropped shots at the sixth, 12th and 17th to mirror his opening two rounds.
Damien McGrane was next of the early Irish starters but he too was unable to make up ground. The Wexford professional reached the turn in level par 35 before dropped shots at the 13th and 15th surrounded a birdie at the 14th. Another bogey at the 17th followed by a birdie at the 18th left McGrane on two over after today's 73.
Having got back to level par, Paul McGinley made small improvements. The K-Club touring pro was one under through 14 holes, but any hopes of him winning at this familiar venue have long since passed.
Gary Murphy was still two under for the tournament after the Kilkennyman opened with three pars, while Graeme McDowell was dropping too many shots. The Ulsterman bogeyed three of his first six holes, only a birdie at the fifth kept the 23-year-old at level par.
At the business end of proceedings, Darren Clarke sets off in the final group alongside fellow Ryder Cup player Philip Price at 1.56 p.m. Clarke, the 2001 champion, has found his touch on the greens this week and is now reaping the rewards. The leading pair start-out on nine under as Clarke goes in search of his first European Tour win for over 12 months.