World number one Rory McIlroy shot a 61, the lowest round of his career, to take a four-stroke lead at the Wells Fargo Championship.

The Northern Irishman broke his own Quail Hollow course record by one shot to move to 18-under par after three rounds.

Webb Simpson is his closest challenger on 14-under, with Robert Streb a further three shots back.

McIlroy needed birdies on the last two holes to join the list of seven PGA players to score 59, but he ended his round with two pars.

The 26-year-old admits he was thinking about the 59 during his 11-under round, and he feels the course is one he can “get on a roll with”.

“I was thinking about 59 from the 14th teebox,” said McIlroy.

“I feel like it’s one of these courses I can get on a roll with.”

McIlroy started the day three shots behind both Simpson and Streb and birdied six of the first seven holes, but he missed out on the chance to become the first player since Jim Furyk in 2013 to card a 59 on the PGA Tour.

McIlory is 5.25 to win the British Open later this year and Masters winner Jordan Speith can be backed at 10.00.

McIlroy is 6.00 to win the US Open and Speith is 9.50, with fellow American Dustin Johnson available at 21.00.