McGinley fires a 65 at Westport

Unbackable favourite Paul McGinley fired a sizzling 65 to take control of the Smurfit PGA irish Region Championship at Westport in the third round.

That leaves the World No.38 at six-under for the tournament and three shots clear of the field.

McGinley handed in a flawless card with eight birdies and no bogeys to show for his splendid day's work.

He made four birdies in a row from the long fourth hole where he hit the green with a drive and a five iron and he added another at the ninth to turn in 31 strokes.

The twice former winner added three more birdies on the way home to finish at six-under for the championship and three shots ahead of Ashbourne Club professional John Dwyer.

Dwyer eagled the 12th hole on his way to a 70.

A strong finish by Philip Walton - three birdies in the last four holes left him at two-under while Wexford pro Damian McGrane at one-under is the only other player in the red.

Connemara's Hughie O'Neill also had a super day as he soared up the leaderboard to plus-one after a seven-under-par 65 that contained eight birdies.