Story highlights
Rory McIlroy closing in on world No.1 spot after third round 66 at Honda Classic
Nearest chasers are America's Harris English and Tom Gillis
Tiger Woods nine shots off the pace and currrently tied for 18th after third round 69
Rory McIlory is on course to become the world’s No.1 ranked golfer after firing a third round 66 at the Honda Classic on Saturday.
The Northern Irishman leads America’s Harris English and overnight co-leader Tom Gillis by two strokes after an assured display on the back nine at the PGA National Champion Course in Florida.
McIlroy started his round with a flurry of birdies at the third, fourth and fifth holes, before his progress was checked by bogeys at the next two holes.
But the 22-year-old regained his composure coming home, with birdies at the par-four 11th, the par-three 15th and another at the par-five 18th to finish four-under for the day and 11 under overall.
McIlroy will take over the world No.1 spot from England’s Luke Donald (who is not playing this week) if he wins on Sunday.
“I’ve just got to approach this like any other tournament and try and go out there and win tomorrow. That’s all I can focus on,” McIlroy said.
“Hopefully tomorrow I can go out with the same mindset and the same strategy and hit some great golf shots. Hopefully, I can win my first tournament of the season,” he added.
England’s Justin Rose had a disappointing round on Saturday posting a one-over par 71 to slip into a tie for fourth place on seven-under with America’s Keegan Bradley and Brian Harman.
Last year’s Masters champion, Charl Schwartzel and America’s Dicky Pride are one shot further back on six-under par.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods put in another steady one-under par round of 69 to leave him in a nine-way tie for 18th, nine strokes adrift of McIlroy.
