The reigning U.S. Open champion is still on course for the $2 million top prize at the Shanghai Masters
The reigning U.S. Open champion is still on course for the $2 million top prize at the Shanghai Masters
AFP/Getty Images

Story highlights

Northern Irishman moves three shots clear with one round left

America's Anthony Kim in second place, South Korea's Noh Seung-yul third

England's Ian Poulter and America's Hunter Mahan are tied for fourth place on 11-under par

CNN  — 

Rory McIlroy will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the Shanghai Masters after firing an impressive seven-under par round of 65 on Saturday.

The reigning U.S. Open champion completed another bogey-free round at the Lake Malaren course leaving him on 18-under par, ahead of second-placed Anthony Kim from America, who also shot a third round 65.

South Korea’s Noh Seung-yul is in sole possession of third place after a third round 67 left him on 14-under par.

England’s Ian Poulter and America’s Hunter Mahan are tied for fourth place on 11-under par and, along with Noh and Kim, the only players with an outside chance of chasing down McIlroy for the $2 million first prize.

Any hopes Lee Westwood harboured of maintaining a challenge at the start of his round all but vanished by the end of the day.

The Englishman could only manage a two-under par round of 70, leaving him tied for sixth place with Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy (who shot 66), 11 shots off McIlroy’s lead.

Sweden’s Robert Karlsson, Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and Y.E. Yang from South Korea are a shot further back on six under, with John Daly on five-under par.

U.S.PGA champion Keegan Bradley (72) and Masters champion Charl Schwartzel (73) from South Africa are in a five-way tie for 12th place.