Graeme McDowell shot the best score of the day to lead the Ballantine's Championship in South Korea. But fellow Northener Rory McIlroy will miss the cut after shooting a disappointing 71 left him on three over.
McDowell's 8-under-par 64 today put him on 12 under, two shots clear of Johan Edfors and Jeev Milka Singh at Pinx Golf Club in Jeju, South Korea.
The Northerner, seeking his first win since 2004, had six birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free round.
"I'm striving for consistency this year, giving myself as many chances to play in the business end of tournaments as possible,'' McDowell told reporters afterwards.
Paul McGinley just one shot back on nine under in joint third. Padraig Harrington was just a shot behind him after an impressive 65 pushed him up the leaderboard to tied sixth.
The Ballantine's Championship marks the European Tour's first visit to South Korea and local favourite KJ Choi failed to make an impression with a 69 to follow yesterday's 70 leaving him on four under.
But Kim Hyung-Tae shot a 66 to finish well in contention on nine under.
Damien McGrane is on four under after a 69 but after play was later halted due to high winds the only other Irishman in the field was Gary Murphy on three over with four holes left to play.
