Australia Open: Rory McIlroy has fallen five shots off the pace after a poor third round

Rory McIlroy has slipped off the pace at the Australian Open after shooting a third round of 76 to finish the day on one-over par overall.

The World No 1 had looked in good shape to defend his crown after opening with a pair of 69s but his challenge fell away on Saturday and he is six shots behind leaders Brett Rumford, Jordan Spieth and Greg Chalmers.

However, World No 3 Adam Scott is bang in contention after a two-under-par round of 69 left him at four-under, just a shot off the pace.

McIlroy was level-par for his round after eight holes and had a share of the lead, having followed a bogey at four with a birdie at five.

However, it all went wrong for the Northern Irishman around the turn, beginning at the ninth, where he found rough, struggled to dig his way out, and finished with a triple-bogey seven.

He then made a double-bogey six at 10 and a birdie at 11 was followed by bogeys at 13 and 16, before a birdie at the last left him in a tie for 14th.

Overnight leader Chalmers bounced back from bogeys at the first two holes to card a steady round of 71, birdies at six and 14 helping his cause.

He was joined atop the leaderboard by his fellow Australian Rumford, who made three birdies and a bogey in his first five holes to get into the mix, and hot prospect Spieth.

The young American matched Rumford’s 69, kick-starting his round with birdies at two and three, then bouncing back from bogeys at nine and 11 with birdies at 13 and 14.

Scott, who just lost out to McIlroy last season, has recovered really well from an opening round of 74, beginning his third round with a birdie and picking up further shots at nine and 17, with his sole bogey on the day coming on 10.

He shares second with Rod Pampling and they are two shots clear of amateur Todd Sinnott.

McIlroy is not yet ready to concede defeat and told the tournament website: “It was a tough day, obviously, the wind was up.

“I was doing okay, steady enough, until I got to the ninth.

“I hit a wayward tee-shot into what I thought was a decent enough lie where I could advance the ball, but I didn't realise what I was standing on is not like dirt or earth.

“It was more like carpet, so the ball went underneath the carpet. Had it been a normal surface it would have been all right, but down there it was impossible.

"I need a fast start tomorrow to have a chance and it depends too on what the guys ahead of me do.

“I need some help but the greens have been firmer every day, so a low score is higher than it was.

"I still feel like I can shoot a good one, I just don't know if that will be enough. I'll be trying my best.

“It's the last round of the season, so it would be nice to make it a good one."