4 Mar 2012

McIlroy closes on on number one ranking

3:32 pm on 4 March 2012

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy has moved within one round of seizing golf's world number one ranking after taking a two-shot lead at the US PGA Tour's Honda Classic.

The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland, who can supplant England's Luke Donald atop the rankings with a victory, capped a third round four-under 66 on the PGA National course with a birdie from a bunker at the par-five 18th.

McIlroy is two strokes in front of Americans Harris English (66) and Tom Gillis (69) heading into the final round.