Golf:Rory McIlroy flattered to deceive in the early stages of his third round at the The Barclays Championship at Bethpage Black before signing for a two-under 69 that leaves him on two under with 18 holes to play.

The world number one birdied the fourth, fifth and seventh to turn in 33 shots and move to three under, only for back to back bogeys on the 10th and 11th running all his good work.

He bounced back with a birdie at the 12th but six pars to finish leaves seven shots off leader Nick Watney, who was 10 under after six holes.

Pádraig Harrington had a bogey and a birdie on his front nine, but a bogey on the 12th and a double on 13 saw him drop back to level par before a birdie on 15 got him to one under.

The big mover in the third round was America’s Kevin Stadler, who fired six birdies in a 65 that got him to seven under.