Akshay Bhatia is edging closer to his second PGA victory at the Valero Texas Open as Rory McIlroy stalled in San Antonio.
Bhatia heads into the final round on Sunday with a four-shot lead, with fellow American Denny McCarthy in second place on 11-under.
Brendon Todd is a further three shots back while Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and American Russell Henley sit at seven-under.
Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, is tied-7th after a frustrating third round 72, which commenced with a double bogey on the opening hole.
The four-time major winner did at least birdie the final two holes to climb back inside the top-10, albeit he is a full ten strokes adrift heading into Sunday.
If Bhatia is to win, it will extend his PGA Tour card and give him the green light to play next week's Masters.
Bhatia qualified for and made the cut at Torrey Pines, the 2021 US Open, and won last season's Barracuda Championship in Truckee, California.
Aside from that, the 22-year-old has not participated in any other major championships.
Swedish golf star Ludvig Aberg sits at six-under at Valero alongside four players who round out the top 10 on the leaderboard with a score of five-under.
Additional reporting: PA
