McIlroy leads in Switzerland

2008-09-06 18:56

Crans-Sur-Sierre - Teenager Rory McIlroy shot a five-under 66 in the third round on Saturday to take a four-stroke lead at the European Masters.

The 19-year-old Northern Ireland player had a 54-hole total of 13-under 200 to lead a group of six players bunched on 204.

McIlroy, who is chasing his first European Tour victory, struck a huge drive at the 543-yard first hole, followed by a 9-iron second shot to three feet to set up an eagle three.

"I was a little nervous because I had never set off in the last group before but that calmed my nerves," McIlroy said.

The group on 204 included Robert Dinwiddie - who shot a day's best 64 - Christian Cevaer (65), Julien Clement (67) and Juan Abbate, Jean-Francois Lucquin and Alejandro Canizares, who all shot 69.

Defending champion Brett Rumford, who shared the overnight lead with McIlroy, slipped to a 73 and a share of 16th place on 207.

McIlroy had opened the tournament with a week's-best 63 but said this round was worth more.

"It was definitely more satisfying. To go out last, playing with the defending champion, and more than hold my own - the 66 was probably better under the circumstances," McIlroy said.

McIlroy slipped to a second round 71 which he said stemmed from poor iron play.

"I worked on it last night on the range and hit my irons quite nicely today," McIlroy said.

Dinwiddie has made a habit this year of shooting poor rounds followed by spectacular scores. At the BMW Championship at Wentworth in May, he opened with a 78 and followed with a 63.

Here the Englishman began with a 76 and followed up with two 64s.

"The eagle at the first was a lovely way to start and I birdied most of the other easy holes as well," said Dinwiddie, whose best finish this year was tied sixth at the Scottish Open in July.

Dinwiddie, like McIlroy, will be going for his first Tour victory on Sunday.

Rumford also began his round with McIlroy by making eagle with a 40-foot putt at the first. But his short game let him down later, surprisingly for a player who chipped in on the first playoff hole to win last year.

- AP