Padraig Harrington will start the final round of the US PGA Tour's Tour Championship five shots off the 54 hole lead
The three-time Major winning Irishman shot a one over par 71 at the East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday having started the day one stroke behind halfway leader Tiger Woods.
Woods shot a 69 but was eclipsed by American Ryder Cup hero Kenny Perry, the 49 year old taking control of the FedEx Cup finale with a six under par round of 64 that gives him a two shot lead over the World Number One going into Sunday's last round.
Veteran Perry had begun the day at two under par, three shots off the pace set over 36 holes by Woods, who leads the season-long FedEx Cup standings and will be guaranteed a USD$10 million bonus if he picks up the USD$1.35m winner's cheque.
Perry will now go head to head with Woods in the final pairing, needing a victory and his playing partner to finish fourth or worse if he is to swipe the mega money prize from the grasp of the best player in the world.
World Number Three Phil Mickelson may also have a say in the matter, his five birdie, one bogey 66 continuing his upward mobility following an opening 73 by taking him to four under par after 54 holes.
That puts the left hander in a tie for third place with fellow American Sean O'Hair, the first-round leader whose double bogey at the par four 17thleft him with third round 70.
Harrington's three birdie, four bogey 71 left him five shots off the pace at three under alongside American Steve Marino, who posted a 67.
World Number Two Steve Stricker, who started the tournament second in the FedEx Cup standings, is at two under following a 66 that returned him to the mix after a second round 72. Stricker is tied for seventh with South Africa's Ernie Els, who followed a Friday 66 with a one over 71.
England's Luke Donald had an eight over par 78 that sent him tumbling down the leaderboard to 29thplace at nine over while Australia's Geoff Ogilvy moved in the other direction, climbing from last place in the 30 man field to a tie for 17thwith a third round, six under par round of 64.
