Rory McIlroy is in contention for the top ten as he enters the final day of the CJ Open after completing the third round.

The world number four was 12 shots after the opening with 73-69 runs, but on Saturday he scored six under-66s to advance to the Under-eight spot for the tournament.

Russell Henley was seven shots behind on Sunday. Leading the 15-under-three three-stroke, he is ahead of a quarter of fellow Americans, including second-round leader Sander Schofel.

Shane Lowry, who returned to level para with eight shots after the 70s, represents the strongest round of the Shadow Creek golf course in Las Vegas.

On the 13th, the Afli man carded three birds with a single bogie.

Tyrell Hutton took a three-shot lead on Friday night and finished second, scoring an over 73 in 65-68 rounds.

The 29-year-old Hutton endured a consistent and frustrating day, nine previous episodes against a bogeyman, before a boogie five was canceled on the 14th, after a birdie hit the last eight shots with four.

McIlroy at home to climb near the lead. The Dawn golfer took the birds through the fourth and third holes of the par and dropped a shot in the seventh length, but made six birdies against a bogey, including the last three holes in nine under-fives.

Henley was a model who was inconsistent in building his front weight, with nine of his top birds and three of the birds out in the back, in a bogie-free run.

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“I put in very well. I’m left myself in some good places to make some good birds, and very good par saves and well scrubbed. I did a lot of good things,” said Henley, who has only two bogies in three rounds.

The 31-year-old, who finished 27th at last week’s Children’s Hospitals for Children Open, had three consecutive berths behind nine, and hopes to maintain momentum in the final round.

“You can go down from here, the greens are great, it’s achievable, but to do that you have to play well. Everything has to be done well,” he added. “I have to lower my head and play a good game for myself.”