ADAM SCOTT LEADS RORY MCILROY BY FOUR AFTER ROUND 3

FROM THE AUSTRALIAN PGA WEBSITE

Adam Scott has extended his lead out to four shots over Rory McIlroy at the Emirates Australian Open at the end of the third day at Royal Sydney Golf Club.
Continuing his dominance on home soil, Scott (pictured in third-round action) posted a four-under 68 for 16-under-par 200, despite not playing his best golf.
“There were some good shots but I missed a lot of fairways with the driver today, which is a bit uncharacteristic,” said Scott.
“I think for tomorrow to go smoothly I'm going to have to take some of the pressure off - chipping out and punching out from under trees is not how you win golf tournaments on the Sunday.”
“If I can get the driver sorted before tomorrow then I'll feel pretty comfortable going to the first tee.”
A birdie on the last provided Scott with an important buffer heading into the final round as he now has the Australian Triple Crown within his reach.
“Four shots is a slightly better buffer. It doesn't mean that it can't disappear quickly but it means they've got to do something to eat into the lead,” added Scott.
“It's an exciting position to be in. Obviously it’s a great chance to win my national championship tomorrow and then also win the three events down here; which is an unbelievable spot to be in.”
McIlroy, who had a 70 for 204 and is four shots behina trio of Aussies sharing third place on 208, showed moments of brilliance as he overcame a tough start which included a bogey and double bogey on the par-4 4th and 5th holes.
“It wasn't the best of starts. I just tried to stay as patient as possible and played a good back nine,” said McIlroy.
“It probably should have been a couple of shots better. I feel like I left a couple out there on the back nine.”
“I'm four back going into tomorrow. I've obviously got a tough job on my hands to try and catch Adam.”
With an opportunity to birdie the last, McIlroy was disappointed to have made par as he watched Scott roll his in.
“Obviously I expected Adam to make his and I actually hit a good putt, I just misread it slightly,” added McIlroy.
“It would have been nice to birdie that and obviously have the gap from four to three, but I'll still have to play really well tomorrow and just try and close that gap as fast as I can.”
South Australian Max McCardle finds himself tied third on the leaderboard after a 3-under 69 moves him to 8-under the card. His day was highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 7th.
Joining McCardle on the leaderboard are Matthew Jones and Richard Green who posted even par and 1-over rounds respectively.
Making a move in the third round was former champion Stuart Appleby. He posted a 5-under 67 to be 7-under for the tournament and tied sixth with Nathan Holman, Scott Arnold and Leigh McKechnie.
Jason Day demonstrated his world class skill firing a 6-under 66 to be tied 10th with Ashley Hall, Rhein Gibson and Bryden Macpherson.

THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 216 (3x72) Players from Australia unless stated otherwise.
200 Adam Scott 62 70 68
204 Rory McIlroy (N Ireland) 69 65 70
208 Robert Green 69 66 73, Matthew Jones 68 68 72, Max McArdle 68 71 69.

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