Luke Donald gave himself the chance to end a three and a half year wait for a win by matching the lowest round of his European Tour career in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship today, but the Englishman will have to fend off the challenge of at least three Irishmen at St Andrews tomorrow.

Donald followed a 65 at the Old Course with an eight-under-par 64 at Kingsbarns and heads back to the home of golf with a one-stroke lead over Rory McIlroy and fellow Englishman Simon Dyson.

Darren Clarke and Michael Hoey are also lurking on 13 under, while Paul McGinley cannot be ruled out on 11 under.

Donald’s last win came at the Honda Classic in Florida in March 2006 and his last success in Europe came more than five years ago, meaning he’ll be a popular winner should he triumph tomorrow.

However, there are other candidates for the sentimental vote.

The McIlroy household in Holywood has two family members chasing silverware at the famous Old Course, with Rory and dad, Gerry, looking to to accompany each other to victory on the latter’s 50th birthday.

McIlroy has plenty to play for, with his 69 at Kingsbarns keeping him in with a chance of moving to the top of the European Order of Merit with second or better tomorrow. Gerry, who plays off two, birdied the last to retain a slim hope of a win in the amateur tournament.

Donald’s score and Clarke’s 67, proved Kingsbarns was there for the taking today but Rory did not oblige, admitting afterwards he struggled with the pace of the uncut greens.

“I had a great start,” said McIlroy afterwards. “I eagled the third to go two under through three but then … I made three bogeys on the front nine and was quite relieved to see one go in on nine to shoot even par on the front.

“The back nine was very solid, I struggled with my pace on the greens all day. I just couldn’t get used to these green at all.

“I could have been a few better, I’m 14 under going in tomorrow and I played great at St Andrews a couple of days ago so hopefully I can do the same again.”

He added: “It will be great to play tomorrow, we’re really looking forward to it and hopefully I can play well again and he can knock a few putts in and we might challenge in the team event as well.”

The whole situation has come together nicely for McIlroy and he could be forgiven for wanting it all to come off too much, but he insists he’s more relaxed than usual ahead of a big day.

“I’m starting to think about the tournament a little more now that I’m right in the thick of things, but I’m still trying to help dad as much as possible.

“It’s a lot more relaxed out there than it is a normal event and I think it’s good for me.”

Of course there’ll be a fair few in Dungannon rooting for their man, Clarke, who has won just twice on the Tour since 2003.

Hoey won the Estoril Open in Portugal in April but has yet to feature prominently at this stage of a marquee event, while McGinley has not been at the top table since the Volvo Masters in 2005.

Damien McGrane is a little further off the pace on six under after a 68 at St Andrews, while Gary Murphy shot a 69 to move just inside the cut on four under, alongside Pádraig Harrington after a level par 72 at Kingsbarns.

Peter Lawrie (two under) and Shane Lowry (five over) will miss the final day.