THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD: (GB & Ire unless stated)
-15 L Donald -14 R McIlroy, S Dyson -13 C Bello (Spa), D Clarke, M Hoey
Selected others: -11 P McGinley -10 L Westwood -6 T Bjorn (Den), T Immelman (SA), E Els (SA)

Donald's golf was almost as dazzling as his trousers

Luke Donald fired an eight-under round of 64 at Kingsbarns to take a one-shot lead over Rory McIlroy and Simon Dyson in the Dunhill Links Championship.

Donald had nine birdies with just one bogey - at the 15th - in a third round delayed from Saturday due to gales.

Northern Ireland's McIlroy shot a 69 with three birdies on the back nine after an eagle, a birdie and three bogeys on the front.

He shares second with Dyson, who carded a four-under 68 on the same course.

The final round for the leading players will be played on Monday over the Old Course at St Andrews.

Donald has a 15-under total of 201 after rounds on each of the three courses - Carnoustie is the third - used in the event.

I'm glad I played well because you have to when you wear something this outrageous Luke Donald

Michael Hoey, Darren Clarke, Richie Ramsay and Rafael Cabrera-Bello were tied for third on 13 under.

Donald, who has not won a tournament since the PGA Tour's Honda Classic in March 2006, matched the lowest round of his European Tour career.

And after donning a pair of tartan trousers in honour of his Scottish father on Sunday, he ended the day in contention for the £485,000 first prize.

"I'm glad I played well because you have to when you wear something this outrageous," said the 29-year-old Donald.

"I thought five or six birdies would be good but I went a few better."

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