At the end of the third round part-time golfer Norman, with a chance to become the oldest winner in major history by fully five years, was round in a two over par 72 and led both Harrington and Korean KJ Choi by two.

Harrington said: "He seems to be back thinking about it and wanting it this week. I don't think anybody should expect anything other than good play from him."

When Australia's 'Great White Shark' double-bogeyed the 10th many might have been ready for him to slide gradually out of the picture as the efforts of a physically and mentally demanding day took their toll.

But the man whose zest for life and his sport appears to have been re-ignited by his marriage last month to ex-tennis great Chris Evert was having none of that.

Back he came with birdies on the short 14th and long 17th - he almost eagled that downwind par five - and by almost chipping in at the last he was able to post a two over aggregate of 212.

"When he is interested Greg Norman can really play," added Harrington, also round in 72. "He's as fit a 53-year-old as there is and he has not lost any of his ability.

"But I look forward to the challenge and high winds probably give me my best chance of winning.

"Saturday was one of the toughest conditions to putt in I've ever experienced.

"You had no sense of preparation and no clarity in the line or how hard you were going to hit it because you didn't know what the wind was going to do to it."