Tiger Woods has backed Padraig Harrington’s decision to play more events in the US next season.

The World No 2 is delighted that the Dubliner has decided to take up his PGA Tour card.

And he firmly believes that the move will do nothing but good for Harrington’s game as he takes on the best in the world in at least 15 events in 2005.

Woods said: “I think it will be huge. Great for our tour. To see a world-class player like that, look in Europe, he's always in the Top 5 in each and every event. So it will be a great addition to our Tour.”

Woods certainly believes that the move will help Harrington improve his chances of hooking a big one.

He added: “I think it will make him more prepared for the bigger tournaments because week-in, week-out, our golf courses are more difficult than the European Tour.

“And certainly I know from playing in Europe, the flags are a lot more difficult here in the States. You don't ever see a pin in Europe three from the side.”

Woods was speaking at the Target World Challenge in California where he entered last night’s final round just two shots behind leader Colin Montgomerie.

But while Montgomerie has never won in the US, having dedicated himself to the European Tour over the years, world No 6 Harrington has seen the light.

He said: “I won’t be playing any less in Europe. If anything, physically I’m actually going to probably play more in Europe. But I do intend to put a couple or so extra American tournaments on to my schedule for 2005.

“The majority of the events that I’ll play will be early in the season. More than likely, I’ll play one or two more PGA Tour events ahead of the Masters than I did last spring.

“At that time of the year the courses are ready and maybe the fields are a little bit stronger - a time when you need to be getting very competitive prior to Augusta.

“I'd like to win a US Tour event – that would be a goal. But there’s more to it than that. In 2003 and 2004 I felt that I hadn’t got into my stride by the time July had come around.

“I thought that at the Masters this year I was not that sharp, and I definitely felt all the way through to the Open Championship I was not as sharp as I would have ideally liked.

“I could have had more tournaments under my belt. So, as I say, this looks more logical, playing a couple or so events earlier in the States to obtain a competitive edge.”

Competition is hotter in the US with the majority of the world’s top ten playing there almost on a weekly basis.

The courses tend to be tougher and with three of the game’s four Majors played in the US, it makes sense for Harrington to increase his tournament commitments on the other side of the pond.

Montgomerie is also planning to play more in the US, having opened up a two shot lead entering the final round at Sherwood Country Club thanks to a four under par 67.

He eagled the par-five 16th and then added a birdie at the par-three 17th to get to 13 under par with Woods and two his US Ryder Cup team-mates Jay Haas and Jim Furyk on 11 under.

Harrington compiled his best round of the week - a four under par 67 - to trail by by four strokes.

The Dubliner birdied the first two holes, dropped a shot at the fourth and then birdied the long fifth.

Back to back bogeys at the eighth and ninth killed his momentum for a while but he stormed back with a birdie at the 13th and three more on the trot from the 15th to keep his title hopes alive.

Harrington's early 2005 Schedule

(Up to Open championship at St Andrews)

Feb 17-20: Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur.

23-27: Accenture Matchplay, La Costa.

Mar 3-6: Ford Championship, Doral.

10-13: Honda Classic, Palm Beach.

24-27: Players Championship, Sawgrass.

Mar 31-Apr 3: BellSouth Championship, Atlanta.

Apr 7-10: US Masters, Augusta National.

May 5-8: Wachovia Championship, Charlotte.

12-15: Byron Nelson Classic, Irving.

19-22: Nissan Irish Open, Carton House.

26-29: (European) PGA Championship, Wentworth.

Jun 9-12: Booz Allen Classic, Congressional

16-19: US Open, Pinehurst.

23-26: Barclays Classic, Westchester.

Jun 30-Jul 3: Smurfit European Open, The K Club.

Jul 14-17: Open Championship, St Andrews

Collated scores & totals after the 3rd round

(USA unless stated, par 71)

200 Colin Montgomerie (Sco) 67 66 67

202 Jim Furyk 67 68 67, Tiger Woods 67 66 69, Jay Haas 69 66 67

203 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 68 69 66

204 Padraig Harrington (Irl) 68 69 67

206 Chris DiMarco 69 67 70

207 Chad Campbell 70 68 69

208 Stewart Cink 70 69 69

209 Fred Couples 68 70 71

210 Davis Love III 70 66 74

211 Vijay Singh (Fij) 74 69 68

215 Kenny Perry 73 73 69

216 Todd Hamilton 73 69 74

217 John Daly 73 69 75, Stephen Ames (Tri) 74 69 74