• Irish Open, Round Three

McIlroy falters as Fisher maintains his lead

It was a bad day at the office for Rory McIlroy © Getty Images

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Rory McIlroy all but ended his chances of winning the Irish Open while Ross Fisher maintained his supremacy on day three in Killarney.

The back nine proved to be McIlroy's nemesis with the Northern Irishman dropping shots at the 11th, 14th and 17th before a double bogey at the last really added salt to his wounds. The young star is finding consistency hard to come by at the moment and a 76 again leaves him with much to ponder.

Fisher had no such concerns as he continued his splendid week, carding a 71 to keep his place at the top of the leaderboard. It was not the vintage performance of his previous two rounds but a level-par round only helps to magnify his extraordinary feat on day two. For the first seven holes, his third round looked to be heading the same way but a double bogey six on the eighth checked his progress. Two more bogeys really reined him in but he is in a commanding position heading into the final round.

Three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington stayed in the hunt with a classy 69. A double bogey six at the eighth threatened to derail his assault but he hit back with a couple of birdies to stay within three shots of the leader.

Chris Wood climbed nine places up the leaderboard with an eye-catching 66. Wood, who finished third at the BMW Italian Open, was steady if not spectacular, on his opening few holes. A bogey at the par-four fourth could have discouraged the Englishman, but he rattle off five birdies in a row to reach the turn in 31 shots. Only one birdie came on the back nine but a five-under round was not to be sniffed at.

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, who began the day six under, enjoyed a good start to his third round with 33 on the outward nine to temporarily move into joint fourth place. Three bogeys on the inward nine disrupted his flow though and he was left to sign for a level-par 71.

Richard Bland shot into contention with a 66 to take him to seven under for the tournament. Bland, ranked 275th in the world, amassed a total of eight birdies on his way to a five-under 66.

Shane Lowry looks to have put his woeful opening round behind him after following up his 65 with an impressive 68. After bagging six straight birdies, an eagle on the par-five 16th was the undoubted highlight of his round.

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