Luke Donald remains on the cusp of becoming the new world number one after retaining his narrow lead after round three of the Heritage.
Furyk breathing down Englishman's neck with one round to go
Luke Donald remains on the cusp of becoming the new world number one after retaining his narrow lead after round three of the Heritage.
The Englishman carded a one-under 70 to remain the man to catch heading into the final round, with defending champion Jim Furyk lurking just one shot adrift.
Donald, leading by one overnight, started dreadfully with a seven at the second but battled back well to be level to the turn, catching Furyk on -11 with a birdie at 16.
"Obviously I got off to a pretty slow start, making 7 on 2," said Donald. "I'm giving up two or three shots on that hole to the field.
"It wasn't really a terrible shot, I just pulled it slightly, it got a kick and if that ball stays a couple of yards inbounds it's an easy up-and-down for birdie.
"I dug deep. Made some good birdies. It was tougher today, the wind was more of a factor, the greens are getting firmer and crustier. And I was pleased with bringing it back after that slow start."
Furyk held the lead for much of the back nine at Harbour Town Golf Links, and although he made bogey on the closing lighthouse hole for a 69 to drop back into second he was happy with his performance.
"I knew the greens were going to get baked out and the golf course was going to be a lot tougher," said the Ryder Cup player. "Getting it in under par today was the goal and putting myself in a good spot for tomorrow.
"When I'm playing well, I feel like this golf course suits my game. I look at the leaderboard - Luke Donald, Scott Verplank - those are guys who I think have very similar style games to me. And I'm sure they're confident as well."
Brendan de Jonge carded a round-of-the-day 66 to move within two of the lead alongside recent Houston Open runner-up Scott Verplank, who returned a 67.
Australian Jason Day, who made a huge impression with his performance at the Masters two weeks ago, is in a group three off the lead after a disappointing 71.
Day made early inroads with three birdies in the first six holes but a hat-trick of dropped shots from the 10th saw him fall away, before a final hole birdie gave him some cause for optimism heading into Sunday's round.
He is on eight under par alongside Americans Ricky Barnes and Tommy 'Two Gloves' Gainey.
Ian Poulter started the day just three behind Donald but slipped out of contention with a round of 75 that contained just two birdies.
