Dustin Johnson leads Rory McIlroy by four shots in Mexico

McIlroy bogeyed three of the first eight holes but made the turn at level par after a 34-foot birdie putt on the ninth

Dustin Johnson in action on the 14th (Getty)

Dustin Johnson extended his lead over Rory McIlroy to four shots on the third day of the WGC-Mexico Championship as the Northern Irishman had to rally from a scrappy start.

McIlroy bogeyed three of the first eight holes but made the turn at level par after a 34-foot birdie putt on the ninth.

The 29-year-old then closed strongly to salvage a round of 68 with four birdies and one bogey on the back nine.

That was not enough to keep pace with Johnson though, despite the American making a double bogey on the par-four 10th.

Johnson eagled the second hole after a superb tee shot and made the turn in 32. He then bounced back from his setback on the 10th with four birdies in the last eight holes.

Rory McIlroy reacts on the 15th green during the third round (Getty Images)

Patrick Reed had two eagles in a round of 64 that lifted him up 17 places and into a four-way share of third, seven shots back, alongside Patrick Cantlay, Sergio Garcia and Cameron Smith.

Tiger Woods' round fell apart late on as he could only manage a 70, dropping down into a share of ninth place.

Woods was on course for much better until he four-putted the par-five 15th for a double-bogey and dropped another shot on the 16th, though he birdied the 18th to limit the damage.

PA