World No1 Rory McIlroy overcame two three-putt bogeys yesterday at the Tour Championship with a 27 feet eagle putt on the par-5 15th hole as he moved to the top late into the round.

A three-under par 67 round, which included a brilliant up-anddown for par on the 18th, helped McIlroy join overnight leader Billy Horschel (69) at the top on nineunder par total, two better than third placed Jim Furyk (67).

Horschel increased his lead to three shots with a flawless threebirdie front nine, while McIlroy three-putted the second and 10th holes to drop down the leaderboard.

But after playing solid golf for 45 holes, Horschel started spraying his shots and wound up making bogeys on the 10th and 13th, while McIlroy caught up with on nine-under par with the eagle on the 15th.

McIlroy smashed a 318-yard drive, and then hit a six-iron to 27 feet before making the putt.

In the final event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs at East Lake in Atlanta, McIlroy and Horschel are among the five players who can win the overall FedEx Cup title, and with it the small matter of a $10million bonus, by winning the tournament.

Veteran Jim Furyk, a former FedEx Cup champion who is winless this year despite an excellent season, put himself in contention with a round of 67, taking sole possession of third place at seven-under par.

Justin Rose (66), Rickie Fowler (67) and Jason Day (70) were tied fourth at six-under par total, while Fed Ex Cup leader Chris Kirk was a shot behind at five-under.

World No2 Adam Scott (65) improved to 10th place at four-under.