McIlroy takes route 66 up leaderboard in USA

NORTHERN Ireland's Rory McIlroy was delighted to rediscover his form with a third-round 66 in the Quail Hollow Championship yesterday.

McIlroy has missed the cut in his last two events in America, including the Masters at Augusta, following rounds of 74 and 77.

But the 20-year-old looked back to his best in North Carolina with a round containing nine birdies and three bogeys which lifted him from joint 48th overnight to a share of sixth on five under.

"It was a great round of golf, I played really, really well," he said. "I feel as if I've been hitting it well the last couple of weeks and not getting much out of it but today I knocked a few putts in and gave myself plenty of chances. It's a bit disappointing to bogey the last but 66 is a great score out there and puts me in a nice position.

"Ten or 11 under will lead at the end of the day so if I'm within five I've got a good chance."

Midway through the third round McIlroy was just three shots behind joint leaders Paul Goydos and Billy Mayfair, with another American, JJ Henry, in third on seven under.

Masters champion Phil Mickelson was two off the lead on six under after two birdies and two bogeys on his front nine.