Collin Morikawa takes five-shot lead as he closes in on becoming world number one

Rory McIlroy’s challenge derailed after a nine on the par-five 11th

Collin Morikawa  lines up a putt on the 17th hole during the third round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Course  in Nassau, Bahamas. Photograph: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Collin Morikawa lines up a putt on the 17th hole during the third round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Course in Nassau, Bahamas. Photograph: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Collin Morikawa will take a commanding five-stroke lead into the final round of the Hero World Challenge on Sunday after shooting an eight-under par 64 to edge closer to becoming world number one.

The 24-year-old American made six birdies and an eagle chip-in to stand on 18-under 198 after 54 holes of the 20-man invitational hosted by Tiger Woods at the Albany resort in the Bahamas.

Brooks Koepka, the four-time Major winner, shot 69 to stand second on 203 and join the reigning British Open champion in Sunday's last pairing.

If he wins for a fourth time in 2021, Morikawa will become only the fourth player under the age of 25 to become world number one.

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Patrick Reed, Viktor Hovland, Daniel Berger, Sam Burns and Tony Finau are all one further back on 12 under while overnight leader Bryson DeChambeau hit a round of 73 to sit in ninth heading into the final round.

Rory McIlroy slipped down to 18th after a three-over-par round in which a nine on the par-five 11th effectively ended his title bid.

Leaderboard

USA unless stated, par 72

198 Collin Morikawa 68 66 64

203 Brooks Koepka 67 67 69

204 Daniel Berger 66 69 69, Sam Burns 71 65 68, Tony Finau 68 66 70, Viktor Hovland (Nor) 68 69 67, Patrick Reed 68 69 67

205 Scottie Scheffler 71 68 66

206 Bryson DeChambeau 69 64 73

207 Tyrrell Hatton (Eng) 69 67 71

208 Harris English 75 70 63

209 Matthew Fitzpatrick (Eng) 71 70 68

210 Xander Schauffele 70 70 70, Webb Simpson 67 72 71, Justin Thomas 67 72 71

211 Abraham Ancer (Mex) 66 73 72, Justin Rose (Eng) 71 70 70

212 Rory McIlroy (N Irl) 66 71 75

217 Henrik Stenson (Swe) 72 75 70

218 Jordan Spieth 71 72 75