McDowell four off the lead in the States

Graeme McDowell is four shots off the lead going into the final day of the Heritage in South Carolina.

McDowell will tee off later from seven under par while Charley Hoffman will take a two-shot lead into the final round after surging clear of the field with a third-round 66 in South Carolina yesterday.

Hoffman, the joint midway leader alongside fellow Americans Steve Le Brun and Kevin Streelman, enjoyed a blistering start with four birdies over his first five holes at Harbour Town Golf Links.

A steady stream of pars followed over his bogey-free round, which was helped along by a further birdie on 15, as the 36-year-old advanced to 11 under par overall – two strokes clear of nearest challenger Webb Simpson.

US Open champion Simpson carded a six-under-par 65, collecting three birdies on the outward nine and three on the back nine to put himself firmly in contention for Sunday.

Streelman was three shots off the pace after a 69, with McDowell (68) and Zimbabwe’s Brendon de Jonge (67).

McDowell responded well after bogeying the par-four third, getting back on track with birdies at five and six and rounding things off by picking up a final shot at the 18th.