Golf:Two bogeys in his last three holes saw Rory McIlroy lose top spot at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland this afternoon, but the world number six is still in with a strong chance for his second title of the season going into the final day at Crans-sur-Sierre.
The Holywood golfer carded a four-under 67 in his third round and is 12 under for the tournament, two behind Welshman Jamie Donaldson and one adrift of stablemate Lee Westwood. The three will go out in the final group on Sunday.
Westwood had a best-of-the-day 64, while Donaldson grabbed four birdies in the closing six for a 65 as he goes in search of a first European Tour success after 237 events..
“It will be awesome going up against two of the best players in the world at the moment,” said 35-year-old Donaldson.
Westwood and McIlroy were quickly off after their rounds to see other sporting interests at work.
At Haydock Park Westwood’s ‘Hoof It‘ finished a very close third in the Betfred Sprint Cup, while McIlroy’s girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, the world number one, was first on court at the US Open.
The 22-year-old was no doubt hoping she would close things out better than he did in his third round.
“It was not the greatest way to finish,” he said after three-putting the 16th and then going over the green from a fairway bunker at the 17th — after taking an iron off the tee for safety.
One of four joint-overnight leaders, McIlroy had jumped into a two-stroke advantage with a 30-foot eagle putt from the fringe of the seventh green.
He then stayed out in front by matching Westwood’s birdies at the 14th and 15th, but now is playing catch-up again.
“I’m still in there with a chance and I’ll be looking for a fast start and putting a bit of pressure on the boys. I feel the way my game is there’s a 61 or 62 out there.”
Three years ago he was four clear with a round to go, but lost in a play-off after missing from five feet on the final green and from barely two feet at the second extra hole against France’s Jean-Francois Lucquin.
Westwood finished off a front nine 31 with four successive birdies, but his only gains on the inward half came at the two par fives.
Back from a holiday in Barbados, he is fighting a head cold and said: “It’s affecting my balance a bit. I played only six holes the last two weeks, which is not really the right preparation. But at some point in the year you have to take a break and recharge your batteries.
“It was nice not to have any fives on the card and no bogeys, especially on this course because it can trip you up.”
Last week’s winner Thomas Bjorn and England’s Gary Boyd are only three behind — Bjorn triumphed at Gleneagles from the same position — but it was a bad day for Nick Dougherty and Simon Dyson.
First-round leader Dougherty, whose 63 set him up to make his first cut in 22 starts going back to last November, fell from one behind to 25th on six under with a second successive 72, while joint halfway leader Dyson slumped to a 74 and all the way to 34th on five under.
Peter Lawrie is six shots off Donaldson’s lead after a two-under 69, the score returned by Darren Clarke, who is two shots further back. Michael Hoey could only manage a level-par 71 and remains two under for the tournament.
