That was the first of seven runners-up finishes for the Dubliner in 2001 including losing the final of the World Matchplay to Ian Woosnam but he eventually ended the year in style by winning the Volvo Masters in Spain.

In fact that was the 30-year-old’s last outing in a stroke play tournament on the tour, and after a nine-week break he was beaten in the first round of the World Golf Championship matchplay in California last week.

It was, therefore, no surprise that he found himself nine shots off the pace set by Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth at the halfway stage, after rounds of 70 and 67 at Royal Selangor.

But the Irishman still harboured hopes of getting in contention for his fifth European Tour title, and quickly made up ground in today’s third round.

Four birdies in five holes from the third took Harrington to nine under par, and within five shots of the lead still held by Forsyth.

The 26-year-old Glaswegian had opened with two pars to preserve his one-shot cushion over Spain’s Miguel Angel Martin, with another Spaniard, Ignacio Garrido, another shot back.

Australian Stephen Leaney had made the biggest move of the leading groups so far, a birdie at the second and eagle at the par-five third taking him to 11 under.

Latest leading positions in third round of Carlsberg Malaysian Open, Royal Selangor Golf Course, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 71, (x) denotes amateurs)

Holes

17 under Alastair Forsyth 45

13 under Miguel Angel Martin (Spa) 45

12 under Ignacio Garrido (Spa) 46

Stephen Leaney (Aus) 46

Anthony Kang (PRK) 45

11 under Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 46

Richard S Johnson (Swe) 48

Selected others:

10 under Padraig Harrington 50

Ian Woosnam 51

4 under Michael Campbell (Nzl) 48