McIlroy in the European Open mix

Rory McIlroy, golf's most gifted 20-year-old, has given himself another chance for his second European Tour victory.

As strong winds caused mayhem again in the European Open at the London Club in Kent McIlroy produced a superb four-under-par 68 to charge from 25th place overnight to joint third.

And Chris Wood made the exact same move as he continued his bid for a maiden Tour win.

No fewer than nine players held at least a share of the lead during a third round littered with high scores, but at the end of it France's Christian Cevaer, 449th in the world, and Indian Jeev Milkha Singh were three clear of the chasing pack at nine under par.

They shot 70 and 71 respectively, Cevaer making one of only two birdies all day on the 471-yard last. The 69-strong field were a cumulative 76 over par there.

Singh, joint halfway leader with Cevaer's compatriot Michael Lorenzo-Vera, covered the last six in a quite brilliant four under and as the world number 39 is probably favourite now to take the £300,000 first prize.

Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal had an incredible sextuple bogey nine on the short 17th - it included two penalty drops and a left-handed air shot in the bushes left of the green - and world number four Sergio Garcia was one of several stars to finish with a triple bogey seven.

McIlroy and Wood share third spot with big-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros and both are eagerly looking forward to the closing 18 holes.

The Co Down youngster, who shot a 65 at Wentworth last Saturday before slipping back to fifth in the final round, revealed he has 'a little niggle' in his lower back.

But he said: 'I had a really nice bath last night, got into bed and watched the golf in the States.'

Earlier, Stephen Dodd mixed eight birdies with six bogeys in a real rollercoaster ride 24 hours after driving all the way from Kent to Wales thinking he had missed the halfway cut.

The 42-year-old former World Cup winner was not alone in that, though.

Lee Westwood was between Cambridge and Peterborough in his new Jaguar when he was contacted and told he was back in the tournament.

'I increased my carbon footprint,' said the Ryder Cup star after a disappointing third round 74. 'I got a call - but I wish I hadn't!'

All those who finished on one over par at lunchtime yesterday looked like missing out on the final two rounds and even Colin Montgomerie at level par went off to spend the afternoon in London with his children thinking he was out.

But a strong afternoon wind sent scores soaring.

'I live the other side of Cardiff and got home about 5.30pm,' said Dodd after a 70 for one under.

The three other Irish competitors in the field are all over par after disappointing rounds.

Graeme McDowell and Peter Lawrie are both on one-over after carding 74 and 79 respectively. Paul McGinley is two shots further back after hitting a 74.