Rory McIlroy recorded his second triple bogey in three days to fall further behind in the Shui On Land China Golf Challenge.

After starting the unique event with a triple bogey on Monday, the World No. 3 ranked McIlroy tripled a hole on the Jade Island course in Beijing, and the fourth course to host the event.

A champagne start at the Topwin Golf Club on day three of the Shui On Land China Golf Challenge. (Photo - Chiina Golf Challenge)

However day three honours belonged to China No. 1 Liang Wen-chong who holed his second 139-yard second shot for eagle with a 9-iron at the 470-yard par four first hole of the Topwin Golf and Country Club in Beijing.

After four holes in two different cities McIlroy, Liang, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter were flown to the Chinese capital for two holes at the Topwin club and then two holes in the afternoon at the Jade Island club.

At the end of eight holes in three days Liang leads at two-under par after eight holes with Poulter at one under par and Westwood at one over par.

McIlroy fell further behind to be six over par and eight shots off the lead with 12 holes to play on three different golf courses over the remaining three days.

“It’s good to be the leader, but more importantly we just want to make it fun for the fans and encourage big galleries at each leg,” Liang said.

China No. 1 Liang Wen-chong delighted to hole his second shot and take the lead in the Shui On Land China Golf Challenge. (Photo - China Golf Challenge)

“That’s most important and we have four cities to go.”

Poulter, who started the day one-under, found water on his way to a bogey at Topwin’s 590-yard par-five, so was two behind Liang as the action moved to Jade Island International Golf Club in the afternoon. 

Poulter got to within one of Liang with a birdie at the 175-yard par-three.

Westwood hit his tee-shot into the trees on his way to bogeying the 444-yard par-four to drop back to one-over.

There was a bizarre incident for Poulter and Liang who had been organised to set off early to see the Great Wall of China.

However their driver got lost in trying to find the world renowned landmark.

“I was obviously disappointed that we didn’t quite get to see it,” said Poulter.

“We got so far up one of the hills, but then they said we could only got the rest of the way on horseback. Unfortunately I didn’t bring my spurs!”

Next stop for the four is three holes of the Red Flag Valley Golf Club in Dailan.

 * Thanks to John Higginson, China Golf Challenge.