Defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are five shots off the lead heading into the final round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

After a 90-minute delay for lightning, McIlroy eagled the final hole as the pair carded a betterball 61.

Americans Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin also shot 61 to open up a three-stroke lead before the alternate-shot final round.

American duo Jake Knapp and Frankie Capan III (60) and Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune and Takumi Kanaya (61) are in a share of second.

Overnight leaders Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo (66) are a further shot adrift, alongside Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard (64).

Lowry and McIlroy, who is playing for the first time since winning the Masters, began the third round six shots off the pace but picked up six birdies on the outward nine, with Lowry eagling the par-five seventh.

Another four birdies followed on the back nine before a bogey on the par-three 17th. After the delay, which was caused by lightning, McIlroy sunk a 30-foot eagle putt on the last.

“The last thing on my mind during the delay was the putt, and then once I got back out there, I sort of concentrated on it and made sure I did what I needed to do and it was just a bonus for it to go in,” said McIlroy.

“As long as we keep having fun out there, that’ll be the best way for us to get the best out of ourselves.”

“I was pretty happy to have Rory go out and eagle the last there,” added Lowry.

“It makes dinner taste nicer and kind of puts us in a great position going into the final round.”