Donald leading after third round

R3 LEADERBOARD US unless stated -12 L Donald (GB) (3) -11 J Durant -10 T Herron -9 Z Johnson -8 R Goosen (SA), R Pampling (Aus), F Funk

England's Luke Donald fired a 70 to take a one-shot lead after the third round of the weather-delayed Players Championship was completed on Monday.

The 27-year-old, who was the joint leader overnight with Joe Durant after three holes, recovered from a double bogey at the 14th to end on 12 under.

Durant bogeyed the last for a 71 and was alone on 11 under, one stroke ahead of fellow American Tim Herron.

Lee Westwood fell from seventh to 44th after a third-round 80.

Westwood was level for the day after the 13th but four bogeys in the final five holes and a quadruple bogey seven at the 17th put him on two under.

The Ryder Cup star put two balls in the lake at the 17th but with winds causing havoc at Sawgrass, Westwood's score was not the worst at the notorious hole.

Bob Tway had that honour with a 12 to equal highest score in the history of the tournament.

However, Donald was relieved to carry the water to make par and was satisfied with how he finished the round.

"It was very different with the wind obviously," he said.

"It feels like we've had all four seasons here this week, but I'm very happy with how I finished, especially after a double bogey on 14."

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell ended up on five under after a mixed round which included three birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey at the ninth.

Sergio Garcia and Mike Weir were also on 211 while Fiji's Vijay Singh and Jesper Parnevik of Sweden were a shot further behind.

Nick Faldo, who had an amazing start to his third round, had two birdies and two bogeys in his last nine holes to finish on one under, together with Phil Mickelson - who had a 77.

South African Ernie Els could only claim a 74 and finished on level par with Darren Clarke while Padraig Harrington's 77 put him on one over.

Tiger Woods, who only just made the cut, had a 75 and was 14 shots behind Donald.

Almost immediately after the third round, the players were out again to try to complete the sport's richest event on Monday.

But organisers have not ruled out finishing the tournament on the sixth day.