Matteo Manassero stamped his authority with a flawless third spherical of 63 to maneuver three photographs away from Rory McIlroy and Billy Horschel on the BMW PGA Championship.
Six gamers held the lead in some capability throughout an exciting Saturday which began in torrential rain and completed in wonderful sunshine at Wentworth.
Nevertheless, it was Italy’s Manassero who took the sell-out match by storm after carding an eagle and 6 birdies to achieve 18 underneath – the bottom 54-hole rating to par within the occasion’s historical past – and sit three away from taking part in companions Horschel and McIlroy at 15 underneath.
The 31-year-old gained this occasion in 2013 earlier than a lack of kind noticed him lose his taking part in rights 5 years later and resulted in him stepping away from the sport for a number of months earlier than returning on the Alps Tour.
Manassero labored his method by means of to the Problem Tour and regained his DP World Tour card for the present marketing campaign, successful his fourth title at this degree on the Jonsson Workwear Open in South Africa March.
It will likely be the second time in two weeks that Manassero and McIlroy will go head-to-head within the closing group on Sunday, following final week’s Irish Open at Royal County Down.
In a single day chief Matthew Baldwin recorded a 70 to take a seat in fourth at 14 underneath, whereas Antoine Rozner and Thriston Lawrence had been one additional again.
Talking about his third spherical 63, Manassero mentioned: “That’s among the finest rounds I’ve ever performed. Contemplating the circumstances originally particularly. It rained rather a lot, and the course is taking part in smooth, but in addition lengthy. There’s not too many birdies on the market, however I made the perfect of it, and it was a incredible spherical.
Relating to the problem that also lies forward, he added: “I do know what I’m going to face tomorrow, and it’s nice place to be in, nevertheless it is not going to be a simple process. It’s been greater than 10 years since I final gained this occasion, however I’ve a greater perspective about golf and being on the high of the leaderboard. It’s by no means a snug place, however you simply must attempt to embrace it.”
“THE HOLE FELT AS BIG AS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN”
Horschel, who went on a run of seven straight birdies throughout his third spherical, and can be a earlier winner at Wentworth in 2021, mentioned: The opening appeared like the scale of the Atlantic Ocean at the moment. I made some lengthy putts, and had some shut ones as properly. It was fairly particular.
“I look again on a regular basis on my 2021 win, particularly once I begin coming over right here. Tonight I’ll reminisce a little bit bit. However I do know it’s going to be a shootout tomorrow. I don’t know the way dangerous the climate goes to be however the leaderboard is tight. Nobody is working away with it. So you must come out and play some actually good golf to attempt to hoist this trophy once more.”
McIlroy, who gained this occasion in 2014, mentioned: ” It was good. The course I believed was taking part in a contact simpler at the moment. We had most popular lies on the market after which with the rain, the course performed fairly smooth. Very receptive. Felt like I performed properly. I kind of weathered a little bit of a storm the primary few holes.
A pair good up-and-downs, after which performed very solidly after that. Didn’t actually make too many errors. I had a number of probabilities that I let slip there on the again 9, however obtained going on the market on transferring day, capturing 6-under par, making an attempt to maintain up with Matteo.
He added: “Wentworth is a particular place for me, so to present myself one other probability right here tomorrow, actually pleased. I gained right here in 2014, I’ve had a number of good probabilities I’ve let slip by. I’m principally a resident at Wentworth now. Constructing a home right here, too. I like it right here. It could be superb to get my identify on the trophy once more.”