4/15/2012

McIlroy Looking at World Number 1

Sporten DK

Luke Donald was facing a battle to hold on to his World Number One status after a poor run in the RBC Heritage in South Carolina.

Donald needs to finish in the top eight at Harbour Town - where he lost a play-off to Brandt Snedeker last year - to remain ahead of Ryder Cup team-mate Rory McIlroy in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Going into Sunday Donald shares 52nd place on +2 - five shots off eighth place - having carded 75, 59 and 71 so far.

The Englishman would have definitely lost his position had he not played this week, and since an opening round of four over par 75 has been out of the chase.

It is Sweden's Carl Pettersson who will take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the RBC Heritage after a third round of 66 at Harbour Town Golf Links.

Pettersson had a run of five straight birdies on the front nine and finished with a birdie on the 18th to establish a narrow advantage from overnight leader Colt Knost.

Pettersson had opened a three-shot lead through 10 holes yet still found himself tied with Knost after the 15th.

But the Swede moved back in front with the round's final putt, an eight-footer for birdie on the signature closing hole.

Zach Johnson surged into third place with a 66 featuring an eagle at the long fifth. He gave one of those shots back at the seventh but four birdies on the back nine left him three off the lead.

Boo Weekley was on his own at seven under and defending champion Brandt Snedeker and Kevin Na each shot 69 to end the day six-under alongside Robert Garrigus (70).

England's Brian Davis was five under after a 68, the same as Tommy Gainey.

While all this golf is going on Rory McIlroy is in Copenhagen following Caroline Wozniacki as she plays the final of the eBoks Open on Sunday.