Pádraig Harrington will have to come from behind over the weekend if he is to lift his second senior major title at the Regions Tradition.
Harrington, who held a share of the overnight lead, carded a round of 70 to move to nine-under-par but he was overtaken by Steve Stricker who roared to the summit on twelve-under after a 65.
Stricker and Harrington have had some great battles on the senior major stage and the former is the defending champion here as he seeks his third Regions Tradition title.
Stricker holds a one-shot lead over Ernie Els at Greystones Golf and Country Club as he chases a three-peat.
“You know, just trying to play good. I enjoy it here. I feel good going around here. I’m just trying to, you know, that old cliche of just taking one shot one hole at a time kind of thing. So continue that with tomorrow.”
Harrington on the other hand endured a rollercoaster day where he carded four bogeys and six birdies including a closing gain to share fourth place.
The four-time major winner on the regular tours birdied the second but bogeyed the third before back-to-back birdies on the fifth and sixth saw him climb back to the summit.
The Dubliner was reeling after back-to-back dropped shots to close out his front nine but came home in 34 to keep his hopes alive.
Darren Clarke fell nine off the pace after a 74.