World No. 1 Rory McIlroy posted a third round 70 to move to six under par and just a few shots from the lead and then stated winning a Players Championship would be right up there alongside capturing a World Golf Championship (WGC).

After completing his outward nine in one over par, the four-time Major winner completed the back nine in three under par to be well in sight of a second straight PGA Tour victory.

Rory McIlroy on route to a round of 70 on day three of the Players Championship. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffileie)

And after capturing a second WGC title last week in San Francisco McIlroy spoke of the respect he held winning a Players Championship crown.

“It would be right up there,” he said.   “This is, I rank this right along with the WGCs and just below the Majors.

“There’s four Majors, they’re the four biggest tournaments every year, and then there’s a quite a long list of important tournaments just below those. And this Players is certainly is one of them.”

Rory McIlroy says the Players Championship is right up there with the WGCs. (Photo – Fran Caffrey?www.golffile.ie)

And McIlroy spoke of his position in the $US 10m event and should he win, it would be McIlroy’s 11th PGA Tour triumph.

“It seems like half the field have a chance to win this event and the field is just so bunched,” he said.

“Anyone that’s sort of five or maybe six shots behind they can go out and shoot a low one tomorrow and especially during the afternoon, the greens get a little firmer, conditions get a little tougher, so I’m four back at the minute, and we’ll see where I am at the end of the day and knowing I need to shoot something in the mid to low 60s to realistically have a chance.”

Rory McIlroy well within sight of a second straight PGA Tour victory. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)