Ireland’s Padraig Hharrington remains on top of the Bridgestone Iinvitational after firing a one-under-par 69 in the third round Friday in Akron, Ohio. (Reuters)

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Padraig Harrington broke par for the second straight day on Friday – something he hasn't done in four months – to hold the lead at the Bridgestone Invitational.

Without a victory since the US PGA Championship, the Irishman shot a 1-under 69 that gave him a one-shot lead over South Africa's Tim Clark (68) going into the weekend.

Harrington wasn't ready to declare himself the favorite to win but conceded that consecutive good rounds were helpful.

“I shot a good score yesterday – put me up there – and it's nice to shoot a reasonable score to back it up,'' said Harrington, who was at 7-under 133. “Break 70 on the weekend a few more times and I should be doing OK.”

American Scott Verplank went 35 holes without a bogey until hitting into the trees on the 18th hole and dropping a shot for a 69, leaving him alone in third at 135.

Tiger Woods, a six-time winner at Firestone, was among 20 players within five shots of the lead, although he found himself in a peculiar spot after an even-par 70. He was tied for 13th, the first time after any round at Firestone he has been out of the top 10.

He was at 2-under 138, the same score he had in 2007 when he went on to win by eight.

“You just have to be very patient,” said Woods, coming off a victory last week in the Buick Open with the final major of the year looming next week. “This course is playing like it normally does, and it's very similar to a major championship. A good number this week is going to be somewhere in the high 60s, and more than likely you can move up the leaderboard.”

Americans Steve Stricker (69) and Jerry Kelly (65), plus Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand (70) were at 4-under 136, with big-hitting Alvaro Quiros of Spain also shooting a 65 to lead the group at 137.

Phil Mickelson, playing for the first time since his wife's surgery for breast cancer last month, made a few great escapes from the rough and put together a 69 to finish six shots off the lead.

Except for his three majors that he won with Sunday rallies, Harrington had not been atop the leaderboard anywhere in the world since the Irish Open more than two years ago.

The Irishman, never satisfied with his swing, has spent most of the season on his mechanics, to the point that his scores have suffered. He once missed five straight cuts, and has yet to finish in the top 10 since his season-opener at Abu Dhabi.