RORY MCILROY picked up birdies on the first two holes but they were not enough to keep him in the lead of the Deutsche Bank Championship as South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen took charge at TPC Boston yesterday.

The Northern Irishman led at the halfway stage and shot three and four for the opening two holes of his third round before parring the next four to leave him on 14 under after six holes of his third round. But that was one behind Oosthuizen, who parred the first and third – with a birdie in between – before picking up shots on the each of the next three holes.

And Tiger Woods, also after six holes, was ominously placed joint third with fellow American Dustin Johnson on 11 under, the latter after 11 holes. Americans Charley Hoffman and Jason Duffner were tied for fifth on 10 under and there was a group of four home players tied for seventh a shot further back – Phil Mickelson, DA Points, Bryce Molder and Ryan Moore.