• European Masters, Round Three

Westwood and McIlroy hot on Donaldson's heels

Lee Westwood is one shot off the lead heading into the final day © Getty Images

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Rory McIlroy was left to rue two late birdies as he surrendered his lead at the European Masters in Switzerland.

The US Open champion, playing in his first tournament since injuring his wrist at the US PGA Championship, looked set to lead the field into the final day of competition, but slipped back to 12-under after back-to-back bogeys at 16 and 17.

McIlroy will go into the final day two strokes off the lead, and a single shot behind Lee Westwood, who produced a sparkling 64 to move up into second at Crans-sur-Sierre. After a birdie at the first, Westwood grabbed four successive birdies to reach the turn in 31, before picking up a further two strokes on the back nine to move to 13-under.

Westwood may be hunting his second title of the year, but it is Welshman Jamie Donaldson, who is without a win in 237 European Tour events, who is in pole position with 18 holes left to play.

Just when it was shaping to be a shoot-out between the two Ryder Cup stars, Donaldson grabbed four birdies to sign for a 65 and take the outright lead. "It will be awesome going up against two of the best players in the world at the moment," Donaldson said.

Irish Open champion Simon Dyson, who led at the halfway stage alongside McIlroy, Donaldson and Gary Boyd, slumped to five-under after a third-round 74 featuring two double bogeys. He is one shot behind Nick Dougherty, who having made his first cut of 2011, struggled to maintain his challenge with a one-over 72.

Thomas Bjorn's impressive run of form looks set to continue. The Dane, victorious in a five-man play-off at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles last week, is on 11-over after a third-round 66, while Martin Kaymer is one stroke further back.

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