Sergio Garcia will take a three-stroke lead into the final round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio after his superb third round of 67 left him on 14-under-par.
The 34-year-old Spaniard, who equalled the course record at Firestone Country Club on Friday with a stunning 61, leads Northern Ireland’s recently-crowned Open champion Rory McIlroy who is well placed in second position on the leaderboard following a solid 66 on Saturday.
Garcia did hold a five-shot lead at one stage in the third round in Akron which was delayed by over three hours because of poor weather.
But as he struggled to find par on his three remaining holes when play resumed, McIlroy picked up birdies on the 17th and 18th to finish the day at 11 under overall.
And he is now looking to deny Garcia his first-ever World Golf Championship crown by usurping him in the final round on Sunday.
McIlroy said: “I’m obviously really excited to give myself another chance to win a tournament.”
Australian Marc Leishman’s 68 has left him two strokes off McIlroy in third place on nine under, while England’s Justin Rose dropped from second at the start of play to six off the lead following a 70. He sits alongside world number one Adam Scott of Australia and American Keegan Bradley.
Garcia is priced at 1.68 to win the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, while The Field is 2.19.
Meanwhile, defending champion Tiger Woods’ slim hopes of qualifying for the FedEx Cup play-offs now look almost over after a disappointing round of 72 left him at one-over par for the tournament.
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