Sergio Garcia retained control of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational,
despite a strong finish from Rory McIlroy on an interrupted third day.
Having opened up a three-shot lead at Firestone in sensational fashion on Friday courtesy of a nine-under 61 featuring eight birdies on the back nine, Garcia perpetuated to make excellent progress at the commencement of his penultimate round, which was brought forward due to the threat of poor weather.
Three birdies in the first six apertures gave the Spaniard a salubrious advantage and he was five clear on the 16th when storms coerced the action to be suspended for more than three hours.
However, Open champion McIlroy then birdied the 17th and 18th on the resumption of play to sit three behind Garcia at 11 under and set up a tantalising final-round pairing.
Garcia culminated tied for second at Hoylake when McIlroy won the Open Championship last month, but will be confident of holding off the Ulsterman on this occasion.
A bogey on 14 represented the bellwether's only blemish as he put together another fine round to remain on course for a first PGA Tour win since the 2012 Wyndham Championship.
McIlroy trailed by four at the commencement of Saturday's play, but reduced that deficit courtesy of a 66 containing five birdies and a solitary dropped shot at the 12th.
Two Australians are among the chasing pack, with Marc Leishman five behind Garcia in third and world number one Adam Scott alongside America's Keegan Bradley and Englishman Justin Rose at eight under.
Scott and Hideki Matsuyama, who apportions 10th at four under, carded the lowest rounds of the day, both men elevating up the leaderboard courtesy of scores of 65.
However, Tiger Woods, an eight-time victor at Firestone, remained way off the pace at one over following a third-round 72.
