Spain’s Manuel Elvira and Italy’s Filippo Celli will take a share of the lead into the final round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth after both reached 13 under par on Saturday, September 19. Elvira shot a 68 and Celli a 69 in windy conditions on the West Course to sit one clear of a three-way tie for third.
Alejandro Del Rey and Johannes Veerman both carded 8-under 64s, the low rounds of the day, to move to 12 under, where they were joined by US Open champion J.J. Spaun after his 68. Veerman’s round included an eagle at the par-5 17th.
Rory McIlroy is two shots back at 11 under after a 69 that finished in spectacular fashion: from 231 yards on the par-5 18th he hit a 4-iron to inside two feet and holed the eagle putt. He shares sixth place with Kristoffer Reitan, who also shot 64, Joaquín Niemann, Davis Bryant and Adam Scott.
Overnight leader Ryan Gerard, who began the day on 12 under, made five bogeys and no birdies in his first 14 holes before two late birdies limited the damage to a 3-over 75. The American dropped to 9 under and a tie for 16th, with 15 players now ahead of him.
Nineteen players are within four shots of the lead going into the final round on Sunday, September 20, with Robert MacIntyre and Ludvig Åberg among those at 10 under.
