FP - Australian Stuart Appleby is in the mix to challenge Rory McIlroy heading into the final round of the US PGA event in Florida after shooting a terrific five-under 65 on Saturday.
McIlroy navigated the windy conditions for a steady one-under par 69 which consolidated a two-shot lead over American Russell Henley, while top-ranked Tiger Woods finally impressed after narrowly making the cut on Friday.
McIlroy fired four birdies against three bogeys at PGA National to stand on 12-under par 198 - but Appleby caught the eye with five birdies in a bogey-free round.
His efforts equalled the best round of the day, and moved him up to equal fifth after earlier posting scores of 69 on days one and two.
A triple bogey on the third on Friday is Appleby's only major stumble on an otherwise impressive weekend so far.
Adam Scott is the next best-placed Australian, holding a share of 35th at three-under par while John Senden backed up his stunning second round of 63 with a score of 73 on Saturday.
Scotsman Russell Knox is third at nine-under with Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas another stroke back and and England's Luke Donald and Americans Ryan Palmer and Keegan Bradley tied with Appleby on seven-under.
McIlroy could join Jack Nicklaus, Mark Calcavecchia and Johnny Miller as the only repeat winners of the $6 million event, the 24-year-old Northern Irishman having taken the title in 2012 to become world number one for the first time.
"I feel comfortable with where my game is," McIlroy said. "I thought 69 in the conditions I had today was a pretty good score."
Woods, meanwhile, made seven birdies against two bogeys on his way to a five-under 65, his low round of the year, to stand at five-under, seven strokes off the pace in a share of 17th after only making the cut on the number.
"I struck the ball well and made some putts," Woods said.
Overnight challenger Brendon de Jonge endured a horror day, falling out of contention by shooting six-over in a bogey-filled round.
