McIlroy has it all to do after slipping back as Todd assumes control

RORY McILROY endured another frustrating Saturday as Dustin Johnson positioned himself two shots back of leader Brendon Todd after ‘moving day’ at the Travelers Championship lived up to its name.

McIlroy (below) had kept himself in the mix after shooting 63 and 68 in the first two rounds but could only card a 69 yesterday after finding water at the 15th just as he’d appeared set to rally following a quiet outward nine. Going into the final day, he is tied for 18th along with Jon Rahm, and eight behind Todd.

Shane Lowry is well out of contention after shooting a hugely disappointing 74.

Johnson began the day six adrift of Phil Mickelson, but sauntered through the field with a nine-underpar round of 61, the lowest of his career and one which saw him climb 19 places on the leaderboard.

For a time, that was enough for the former US Open champion to lead, but Todd went on to match his score and might have bettered it only to miss a short-range birdie putt at the final hole.

While Johnson is seeking his first victory in over a year, Todd is chasing his third of the season after a remarkable comeback story which has taken in wins in both Bermuda and Mexico, with this another step up the ladder should he complete the job.

The American has missed just one fairway all week, a staggering display of precision, and yet Johnson’s move through the field after a slow start has appeared ominous for the rest.

Former Travelers champion Kevin Streelman is a further shot back of Johnson in third place, with first-round leader Mackenzie Hughes now fourth following successive rounds of 68.

As for Mickelson, three bogeys in a sloppy round of 71 left him with work to do from six back, though it could have been worse. Twice he dropped one shot when he might have dropped two, and had he made a birdie putt for a round of 70 at the final hole, he’d have left the course having limited the damage.

But with that putt missed, he’s now tied for seventh, with Bryson DeChambeau and Kevin Na sharing fifth place after each did what Mickelson could not and made three at the tricky 18th.