Ireland's Darren Clarke is among a group of four golfers tied for ninth place at the MCI Heritage in South Carolina after a disappointing round on day three.
Clarke slipped back from fourth at halfway after a 71 and is now seven shots adrift of runaway leader Ted Purdy, who fired a 65 to move to 12 under for the tournament.
Purdy had seven birdies and a late bogey on the 6,973-yard layout to reach 12-under 201, comfortably ahead of fellow American Heath Slocum (70). Stephen Ames (68) and Patrick Sheehan (69) share third on seven under.
Defending champion Davis Love, who has won this event five times, is tied for 26th, 10 strokes off the pace.
Purdy has improved greatly of recent times but is keeping his feet on the ground ."I've had many people tell me I've got a great swing, and my putting stroke is great and everything else," Purdy said. "But until you believe it for yourself, you're not worth a damn."
Filed by Rob Wright
