2026 BMW PGA Championship: Winds whip leaders as Rory McIlroy gets back into contention
Rory McIlroy hit a 4-iron from 230 yards to inside 2 feet and holed the eagle putt to finish off a 3-under 69 and move into contention to win the BMW PGA Championship for the second time.
Virginia Water, England — Rory McIlroy showcased his prowess on the final holes of the third round by sinking a 4-iron from 230 yards, followed by an eagle putt from just two feet away. The 2026 BMW PGA Championship saw McIlroy finish his third round with a remarkable 3-under 69, placing him just two strokes behind the leaders Manuel Elvira and Filippo Cello on a leaderboard packed with participants.
McIlroy, ranked No. 2 in the world, expressed his optimism about his chances of securing his second BMW PGA Championship title, noting that he has set himself up well for the upcoming day. His strong finish is part of a story where multiple players made significant strides on Saturday, but few managed to break away from the pack.
Even among the top tier, neither Celli nor Elvira have triumphed on the DP World Tour, while Veerman and Del Rey are ranked outside the top 250. J.J. Spaun, the former U.S. Open winner, shares a group with McIlroy at 12-under. As the final round commenced at the Wentworth Club in Surrey, McIlroy acknowledged the competitive nature of the day, citing the challenging weather conditions as a factor in maintaining the tight clustering of scores.
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