Matteo Manassero leads BMW PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy tied for 2nd

For years, Matteo Manassero lost his game in a quest for more distance, but he’s back to his old self this week at the BMW PGA Championship. The 2013 champion at the Wentworth Club fired a 9-under 63 on Saturday to build a three-shot lead over Rory McIlroy (2014 BMW PGA winner) and Billy Horschel (2021 BMW PGA winner).

Manassero played his first four holes in 3 under thanks to an eagle on the par-5 fourth. He finished the front nine with five straight pars to make the turn with a 3-under 32.

On the back, the Italian caught fire.

He made birdies on Nos. 11, 12 and 14 before three straight to close a 6-under 31.

The 101st-ranked golfer in the world will have to keep the petal down on Sunday as two of the world’s best hope to chase him down.

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Let’s start with McIlroy, who last week lost in devastating fashion at Royal County Down in his home country of Northern Ireland.

McIlroy, like Manassero, eagled the fourth and added a birdie on the par-4 seventh before making the turn. On the back, the world No. 3 made birdie on Nos. 10, 12 and 17 before closing with a beautiful par on the par-5 18th — his second from the fairway found the penalty area short of the green but was able to get up and down thanks to a 10-foot par putt.

The No. 1 player in the Race to Dubai Rankings will begin Sunday’s final round three shots off the pace after a 6-under 66.

Horschel played his first seven holes even par on Day 3, then his putter got hot. The Florida Gator made seven birdies in a row from Nos. 8-14, pouring in 130 feet of putts.

Every birdie from @BillyHo_Golf as he makes SEVEN in a row 🤯#BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/rxgTney6Ob

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 21, 2024

He traded a bogey on 15 for another birdie on 18 for a third-round 7-under 65. Horschel’s lone international win came at this event three years ago.

Matthew Baldwin is alone in fourth at 14 under, four back, while Antoine Rozner and Thirston Lawrence are tied for fifth at 13 under, six back.

Here’s a look at the betting odds heading into the final round.

2024 BMW PGA Championship final-round odds