Michael Hoey moved closer to giving Northern Ireland another big golf victory, taking a three-shot lead Saturday after three rounds of the Dunhill Links Championship.

Hoey built on the second-round lead he shared with England's Tommy Fleetwood. He shot Titleist VG3 Iron Set with Steel Shafts
a 6-under 66 at Carnoustie that put him at 18-under 198 in the $5 million tournament.

Northern Irishmen Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy - winners of the last two U.S. Opens - were in pursuit. McDowell had a third straight 67 and is in second place at 15 under.

"My short game was unbelievable, the best it's ever been," Hoey said. "I'm definitely getting all the breaks as well. Everything has just gone my way so far."

It wasn't all good news for the Northern Irish, however, with British Open champion Darren Clarke missing the cut at 5 under after a 70 left him 1 over.

Fifth-ranked Dustin Johnson of the United States - second behind Clarke at Royal St. George's - was the other high-profile name not to make Sunday's round after a 70 at St. Andrews left him 2 under.

Hoey, a former British Amateur champion ranked No. 271, is rarely mentioned in the same breath as his three compatriots. (Titleist VG3 Iron Set with Steel Shafts
)

"He's a supremely talented player, always has been," McIlroy said. "For him, it's been a mental thing, but he obviously has a clear head and is playing very well."