FedEx Cup: England's Luke Donald in contention to win

Donald is aiming to be the first Englishman to win the FedEx Cup

Luke Donald remains in contention to win the FedEx Cup after shooting a level-par 70 in the third round of the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

The world number one is fifth, three off the lead, but knows victory in the concluding event of the FedEx Cup series will guarantee him $10m (£6.4m).

Australia's Aaron Baddeley and Hunter Mahan of America lead at nine under.

Baddeley birdied four of the last six holes as he shot the lowest round of the day, a six-under-par 64.

Overnight leader Adam Scott dropped back to five shots off the pace after a four-over-par round of 74.

Donald was also was going backwards after dropping shots on the fourth and sixth, but he picked up birdies on the 10th and 15th, to give himself a fighting chance of finishing top of the overall FedEx Cup standings.

The picture remains complicated though.

At the start of the weekend five players, Donald, Webb Simpson, Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose and Matt Kuchar knew winning the Tour Championship would guarantee them the overall trophy.

Donald, who is the only one still in contention to win the FedEx cup in that manner, said: "I've still got a great chance and if I don't get off to a good start, then I guess I'll be looking at potentially where I am in the FedExCup.

"But until that time happens, I'll be pressing on to try and win."

Simpson is also well placed, despite being eight shots off the lead at East Lake, but he needs help from other golfers.

He birdied the 18th in his third round to move into a tie for 15th and if he finishes in the top 12, he could collect the money, even if Mahan, who is also currently top of the standings wins the tournament.

"It's kind of weird," Mahan said. "I could still win - I could play flawless golf, win by five - and finish fifth in FedEx Cup points.

"I could finish 10th in FedEx Cup points. It's one of those things where you can't even worry about it just because you can't do the maths that fast."

Mahan, who began the day five under par, rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt on the last to card a four-under-par 66 and put himself in contention for a fourth Tour title.

But both leaders will be wary of the threat posed by four-time major winner Phil Mickelson, who carded a three-under 67 to move to four shots behind.