• Australian Open

McIlroy suffers meltdown in Sydney

Rory McIlroy hit a third-round 76 © Getty Images

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Rory McIlroy's hopes of retaining his Australian Open crown were left in tatters after a dismal third round saw him drop six shots behind the leading pack.

The world No.1 had been in contention to defend the title he won in dramatic fashion last year after two 69s, but a 76 on Saturday left him one over, well adrift of leaders Brett Rumford, Jordan Spieth and Greg Chalmers.

McIlroy had been joint leader at level par after eight holes with a bogey at the fourth followed by a birdie at the fifth, but his round fell apart just before the turn.

He found the rough on the ninth as he racked up a triple bogey seven and then hit a double bogey six at the 10th. That was followed by a birdie but two more bogeys at the 13th and 16th saw McIlroy drop further down the leaderboard, before he ended on a positive note with a birdie at the last.

McIlroy won the title at the Australian Golf Club 12 months ago on the 72nd hole, where he pipped Adam Scott, who is currently one shot off the lead after his 69.

Although McIlroy was not ready to concede, he admitted he had given himself a mountain to climb.

"It was a tough day obviously," he said on the tournament's website. "The wind was up. I was doing okay, steady enough, until I got to the ninth. I hit a wayward tee-shot into what I thought was a decent enough lie that I could advance the ball.

"But I didn't realise what I was standing on is not like dirt or earth. It was more like carpet. So the ball went underneath the carpet. Had it been a normal surface it would have been alright, but down there it was impossible."

Even if retaining his title proves out of reach, McIlroy is keen to put on a show on Sunday in his final round of the year.

"I need a fast start tomorrow to have a chance," he said. "It depends too on what the guys ahead of me do. I need some help. But the greens have been firmer every day. So a low score is higher than it was.

"I still feel like I can shoot a good one. I just don't know if that will be enough. I'll be trying my best. It's the last round of the season so it would be nice to make it a good one."

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