Rory McIlroy moved within one round of seizing golf’s No.1 world ranking on Saturday as he claimed a two-shot lead at the US PGA Tour’s Honda Classic.

The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland, who can supplant England’s Luke Donald atop the rankings with a victory, capped a four-under 66 on the par-70 PGA National course with a birdie from a bunker at the par-five 18th and had a 54-hole total of 11-under 199.

He was two strokes in front of Americans Harris English and Tom Gillis, with reigning PGA Champion Keegan Bradley, England’s Justin Rose and Brian Harman a further shot back.

McIlroy joined Gillis atop the leaderboard on 10-under with a birdie at the par-three 15th, where he landed his approach five feet from the pin.

Gillis then bogeyed 15 leaving McIlroy alone at the top.

US Open champion McIlroy then extended his lead with his closing birdie.

Gillis posted a 69 and English, a 22-year-old rookie, posted a 66 to join him on 201.

Bradley carded a 68 and Rose a 71 for 203, while Harman followed up his second-round 61 with a 69.

Greg Chalmers was the best placed Australian, six shots off the pace after his third round 68.

Former world No.1 Tiger Woods carded a one-under 69 and was nine off the pace.

It’s the second straight week McIlroy has had a chance to reach the top of the rankings. He could have done it last week at the World Golf Championships Match Play Championship but fell in the final to Hunter Mahan.

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