• RBC Heritage, Round Three

Donald stalls as Pettersson leads

Luke Donald found it hard work in round three © PA Photos

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Luke Donald's grip on the world No. 1 spot is slipping as he failed to make any headway in the third round of the RBC Heritage.

Donald needs to finish in the top eight to keep Rory McIlroy at bay, but an even-par 71 kept him at two-over for the tournament and well off the lead which is held by Carl Pettersson at 12-under.

It was a day of frustration for Donald at Harbour Town, as he started well and concluded his round with birdies at 16 and 17, but dropped shots at nine, 13 and 15 left him treading water.

Pettersson produced the round of the day, a 66 taking him over Colt Knost and into the lead.

It was a brilliant display from the Swede who ran through five birdies in a row on the outward nine. He held a two-shot lead at one stage, only to allow Knost back in with bogeys on 11 and 15. But he rolled in an eight-foot birdie putt on 18 to secure the lead.

Knost, who started the day in the lead, started bogey, eagle, bogey, got his round going with birdies on five and nine but his momentum stalled coming home and a 69 leaves him one off the lead.

Zach Johnson finished three, three, three to card a 66 and move into contention at eight-under, a shot clear of two-time Harbour Town winner Boo Weekley.

Defending champion Brandt Snedeker posted a 69 to move to six-under, but his day was spoiled by a double-bogey on the third that checked his momentum after a birdie on two.

England's Brian Davis carded a second successive 68 to sit at five-under alongside Tommy Gainey.

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