Padraig Harrington has finished tied for fifth, just three shots off the lead, at the Volvo Champions event in South Africa, but came off the course saying he was “distraught” with his putting.

The Dubliner hit a 5 under round of 67 to finish on 9 under for the tournament, three shots behind South Africans Louis Oosthuzen, who birdied the last two holes to sneak ahead of compatriot Brandon Grace. Speaking after he came offg the course Harrington said: “I just struggled a bit on the greens...It’s nice to be close in the end of the day and it’s a nice feeling to be pushing there...a bit like the end of last year, happy with how I’m hitting the golf ball but distraught with how I’m putting.”

Harrington scored three under on the front nine, including an eagle at the par 5 eighth. Three more birdies on the back, and a bogey, left Harrington amongst the chasing pack but unable to reach Oosthuizen.

Darren Clarke had a far more trying time on the course today, dropping five shots including a double bogey fourteenth.

Simon Thornton finished on 5 over, with birdies on the final two holes bringing him back to 1 under for the day and 5 over for the tournament.