Rory McIlroy Moves Into Contention at BMW PGA Championship with Strong Finish

Rory McIlroy carded a 3-under 69 to reach 11-under 205, trailing leaders Manuel Elvira and Filippo Celli by two strokes.

Rory McIlroy finished his third round at the BMW PGA Championship with a birdie-eagle sequence to card a 3-under 69, moving to a total of 11-under 205. The world No. 2 holed an eagle putt on the final hole at Wentworth after striking a 230-yard 4-iron to within two feet. According to the Associated Press, McIlroy sits two strokes behind co-leaders Manuel Elvira and Filippo Celli, who lead the field at 13-under par.

Elvira posted a 68 while Celli recorded a 69, leaving both seeking their first titles on the European tour. They are pursued by a crowded leaderboard featuring 15 players within three shots of the lead. J.J. Spaun, the 2025 U.S. Open winner, sits one stroke back at 12-under par following a round of 68. He is tied for third place with Johannes Veerman and Alejandro Del Rey, both of whom shot 64 on Saturday.

McIlroy occupies a tie for sixth place alongside Adam Scott, who shot 71, and Joaquín Niemann, who turned in a 67. Overnight leader Ryan Gerard fell out of the top spot after struggling to a 75. McIlroy, a former champion of this event in 2014, noted that tricky conditions have prevented any single player from pulling away from the pack heading into Sunday's final round.