Bradley Dredge shot a 1-under 71 Saturday at Kingsbarns to maintain his lead after the third round of the Dunhill Links championship.

Padraig Harrington trails by one stroke after a 3-under 68 at Carnoustie despite strong wind.

Dredge, who is at 13-under 202 overall, said the conditions made it difficult to get the ball close to the hole.

``There are some big slopes on the greens and then there was the wind,'' said Dredge, who won the European Masters last month. ``Throw all those factors together and it's not easy.''

Edward Loar, an American who plays on the Asian Tour, moved into third place with a 70 on the Old Course at St. Andrews. He is four strokes off the lead, but one better than Ernie Els (71) and Vijay Singh (72), who played at Carnoustie, the site of next year's British Open.

Harrington, who won this event in 2002 when it was played right after the Ryder Cup, made six birdies and three bogeys.

``It was a tough, tough golf course,'' said Harrington, who is now fourth in the European Order or Merit. ``I was a bit out of it but if I could win one of the big events left, I could be in the mix.''

Paul Casey, who leads the Order, shot a 73 at Carnoustie and shares 15th place.

``There is still a long way to go,'' Harrington said. ``After the Ryder Cup it would be very easy to sit back so it's something I'm using as a motivational tool.''

Els and Singh handled the conditions well.

``I don't know if I can speak at the moment because my lips are numb,'' Singh said. ``It is just so cold and so difficult to get the right feel.''

Els was content with his 71.

``This course is a brute even in calm conditions,'' Els said.

Colin Montgomerie, who missed the cut, found it tough.

``I got cold and tired,'' Montgomerie said. ``The season is winding down and it wound down today.''