Luke Donald gave himself the chance to end three-and-a-half years without a win by matching the lowest round of his European Tour career in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship yesterday.

Donald followed a 65 at St Andrews with an eight-under-par 64 at Kingsbarns and heads back to the home of golf with a one-stroke lead over Rory McIlroy and Simon Dyson. The tournament, which has a first prize of more than £485,000, goes into an extra day because no play was possible on Saturday because of gale-force winds.

Donald had nine birdies and was particularly pleased with those on the 16th and 17th.

He had gone in the water to bogey the short 15th but pitched to eight feet on the next and then, despite his drive finishing in a divot, hit a seven iron to 12 feet.

His last victory was the Honda Classic in Florida in March 2006 and his last success in Europe came more than five years ago.

Donald is glad to be back fighting for a title at last after needing surgery for a serious wrist injury last year.

In the celebrity pro-am, Donald will again be partnering former Liverpool footballer Jamie Redknapp in the final round while McIlroy will play with his father Gerry on his 20th birthday. The Northern Ireland star had shared the halfway lead with compatriot Michael Hoey and Scot Richie Ramsay and went two clear when he made a 25-foot putt for eagle at the third at Kingsbarns.

But then came three bogeys and in the end he was content with a three-under 69.

"We thought we would be heading home tonight – I think Mum had a surprise planned," said McIlroy. "But it will be great to play with him on the Old Course again and to win would be incredible."

Even finishing second should be enough to take the youngster to the top of the European money list for the first time.

Bristol's Chris Wood shot a total of 220 over three rounds at Carnoustie, some 19 shots behind Donald.