IT MAY BE the name of European Tour veteran Jamie Donaldson that sits at the head of the leaderboard heading into the final round of the European Masters, but all eyes with undoubtedly be drawn to those of the Welshman’s nearest challengers, former world number one Lee Westwood and the reigning US Open champion Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy began the day leading the tournament, and after nine holes of his third round, having carding two birdies and a remarkable eagle at the par-four seventh, looked to be thoroughly in control of proceedings.

Crans-sur-Sierre demands aggressiveness, however, and as the Holywood native eased into the back nine with a run of four consecutive pars, he found himself leap-frogged by the British duo of Westwood and Donaldson, both of whom were in the process of compiling rounds in the mid-sixties.

Though he played the final five holes with a renewed sense of urgency, a couple of late errors meant the US Open champion was forced to settle for a comparatively modest four-under-par 67 and an aggregate total of 12-under-par.

In contrast to the Northerner’s unremarkable back nine, Donaldson succeeded in carding four birdies in the space of five holes on his run to the clubhouse. He eventually signed for a six-under-par round of 65, enough to leave him on 14-under-par heading into tomorrow’s final day.

Westwood, one shot closer to Donaldson than McIlroy, will fancy his chances of denying the Welshman his maiden European Tour victory, particularly in light of his stellar third-round performance. His putting troubles seemingly in abeyance, the Worksop made seven birdies en route to carding a flawless 64.

Germany’s Martin Kaymer is four shots off the lead, on 10-under-par, two shots ahead of the only Irish competitor remaining in the field, Dubliner Peter Lawrie.

Poll: After last night’s performance, can Ireland really hope to beat Russia?

Un-caged: Jon Jones is the real deal>

Mixed fortunes for O’Rourke and Ryan at the World Championships>