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Casey holds four shot lead as McIlroy falls off the pace

Casey was all smiles as he finished his third round
Casey was all smiles as he finished his third round

England's Paul Casey holds a four-stroke lead heading into the final round of the Travelers Championship after shooting a brilliant 62, his lowest career round on the PGA Tour.

The highlight of the 40-year-old's Saturday was an eagle after driving the 273-yard par-four 15th at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, but a further six birdies took him to 16 under, well clear of second-placed American Russell Henley.

"That's something I rarely see from me, 18 greens in regulation, so whatever he (swing coach Peter Kostis) told me worked," said Casey in his post-round interview.

Casey, who won the Valspar Championship in March, has world number nine Jason Day and two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson six shots behind but his potential Ryder Cup team-mate Rory McIlroy appears too far back to challenge.

A second successive 69 for the Northern Irishman was well off the pace, with most of his rivals scoring in the mid to low 60s, and at eight under the four-time major champion has probably left himself too much to do.

He too eagled the 15th, chipping in from the front of the green, but a bogey at the last - his third of the day after two earlier birdies - was a disappointing way to end.

A round of 70 sees Séamus Power on three-under par, while Padraig Harrington followed up rounds of 66 and 69 with a disappointing 75 to drop to level par.

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