McIlroy boosts lead to three after 54 holes at big-money Shanghai Masters

U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy shot a 7-under 65 on Saturday to increase his lead to three strokes after the third round of the Shanghai Masters.

The 22-year-old star from Northern Ireland made seven birdies in another bogey-free round on Lake Malaren’s Jack Nicklaus-designed Masters course to finish at 18-under 198.

“Another good day on the course! Excited to have a chance to get another win this year!” McIlroy tweeted, adding the hashtag “itsbeentoolong.”

Anthony Kim of the United States was second after a 65. He’s coming off a third-place finish last week in the Asian Tour event in South Korea.

South Korea’s Noh Seung-yul was 14 under after a 67.

Ian Poulter (67) and Hunter Mahan (68) were 11 under, second-ranked Lee Westwood (70) and Geoff Ogilvy (66) were another stroke back, and Robert Karlsson (72), Padraig Harrington (73) and Y.E. Yang (68) were 6 under.

Louis Oosthuizen struggled in the overcast conditions, shooting a 76 to finish at 4 under. The 2010 British Open champion had a double bogey on the par-5 13th and made four bogeys.

The 30 players in the field -- 10 of whom are major champions -- are vying for the $2 million first prize, the richest in golf. All the top players are getting appearance money, and last place pays $25,000. Because the International Management Group-run event isn’t sanctioned by a major tour, it doesn’t have world-ranking points.

The WGC-HSBC Champions is next week at nearby Sheshan International.