Strong finish gives Harrington Augusta lift

AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) - Three birdies in the last four holes put a smile on the face of British Open champion Padraig Harrington after Saturday's third round at the U.S. Masters.

The 36-year-old Irishman, nine strokes off the lead overnight, carded a three-under-par 69 in rain-softened conditions at Augusta National to climb into a tie for seventh spot.

"I feel reasonably happy with the score, although I should have done a little bit better," Harrington told reporters after posting a two-under total of 214 to lie nine shots behind pacesetting South African Trevor Immelman.

"It was a good day for scoring with the greens soft after the storms."

Play was suspended for 40 minutes earlier in the day because of heavy rain and the threat of lightning.

"I was trying to do the right thing early in the round and things weren't happening so it was nice to make three birdies in the last four holes," added Harrington. "I am pleased but certainly the opportunity was there to shoot a low score."

The 12-times European Tour winner had been level for the day after bogeying the par-five 13th where he found water with his second shot.

"If I look back at my round today, that was where two shots went," the Dubliner said.

"That would have made it a very sweet round if I had birdied 13th but you can't go all out at every pin position. You have to choose the right shots at the right time."

Harrington is pleased that stronger winds and chilly conditions have been forecast for Sunday's final round at Augusta.

"Certainly it could make it awkward for the people out there leading," he said. "Yes, my eye is on the leaders.

"I think anybody who is chasing would like a windy day because it makes things awkward. If I get the breaks tomorrow so be it. If the guy leading gets a few gusts wrong, it's a tough day for him."

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)