Baddeley makes early move

Aaron Baddeley turned up the pressure on overnight Verizon Heritage leader Jim Furyk with three birdies in his first five holes of the third round at Hilton Head Island.

The Australian, who finished yesterday with an eagle two after holing his 160-yard approach to the 18th, moved to 12-under and within one of Furyk, who responded to the challenge of his playing partner with birdies at the first and fifth.

Meanwhile, world number five Ernie Els moved into the top four on nine under par and just four behind the leader.

He had the best start in the field with four birdies in his first five holes to quickly advance from his overnight four-under.

His first dropped shot came with a four at the seventh but worse was to follow with a double-bogey at the par-four eighth.

The South African pulled one back at the ninth to turn in 34 before adding three more birdies in his next seven holes.

England’s Ian Poulter dropped back to two-under after a one-over-par round of 72, having started with two birdies in his opening six holes, while compatriots Brian Davis (75), Justin Rose (74) and Greg Owen (74) saw their hopes of mounting a challenge disappear.