Graeme McDowell has seen his chances of a successful RBC Heritage defence slip through his fingers on day three on the Harbor Town Golf Links course at Hilton Head.

In overcast, cold and windy conditions McDowell posted three birdies, including birdies at his opening two holes, but also four bogeys in a round of one over 72 to finish also at one over in the $US 5.8m event.

McDowell had been two under par in total through six holes in Friday’s second round when torrential rain forced an abandonment to play.

The former US Open winner then joined around half the in recommencing his round at 8am local time and with the Northern Irishman picking up birdies at his eighth and 11th holes to move to three under par for the event but then dropping a shot at his 16th.

He then had a short break before a 1.20pm start to his third round that ended around 5.50pm local time.

And here’s video of McDowell’s great start to the third round when he holed a 40-footer from just inches from being off the green (see video).

It left McDowell eight shots behind victorious European Ryder Cup team-mate Luke Donald who produced a remarkable outward nine before settling down over his inward nine to move into the lead at seven under par late in his round.

Donald’s front nine reads:- par, eagle, bogey, par, birdie, bogey, bogey, bogey, birdie and par.

However the former World No. 1 who third to McDowell last year then steadied to birdie