Improvement from McIlroy and Woods at Quail Hollow

Peter Uihlein missed by one Rory McIlroy’s 2015 course record with third round 62

Rory McIlroy during the third round of the 2018 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow. Photograph: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Peter Uihlein narrowly missed the course record and Phil Mickelson surged into contention as Tiger Woods enjoyed his best round of the Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina on Saturday.

Uihlein shot a nine-under 62 for an early share of the tournament lead with late-starting overnight leader Peter Malnati at seven under par.

The former top-ranked amateur had five consecutive birdies from the fifth hole, then added an eagle and two birdies as he missed by one Rory McIlroy’s 2015 Quail Hollow record.

Mickelson also took advantage of softer greens to shoot seven-under 64 and move into a tie for fifth at five-under 208.

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Woods, who has struggled with his putting this week, delivered six birdies on Saturday for a three-under 68 to go one-under 212, six strokes off the early lead.

A bogey at the last, where Woods three-putted, tempered the improved play.

The former world number one had moved to four under with three consecutive birdies from the 13th.

He had two bogeys and three birdies on the front nine on a day when he narrowly missed several other birdie opportunities.

McIlroy also made a move with a five-under 66 to stand at three-under 210.

The Irishman had four birdies in a row before also bogeying the final hole.

Graeme McDowell's third round 67 leaves him two under par, a round of 68 brings Seamus Power to level par overall, while Shane Lowry's 71 leaves him one shot inside the projected cut of 3 over par.