Rory McIlroy is two strokes off the lead going into the final day of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth after eagling the 18th hole on Saturday.
The back-to-back Masters champion recorded a three-under 69 in his third round to leave him joint-sixth, and one of five players on 11-under.
McIlroy was one-over for the day after 11 holes but he birdied the 12th and 17th before producing brilliance on the last, with a four-iron approach from 230 yards leaving a tap-in for eagle.
“I think it was a day when you really had to take advantage of the par-fives, they were your scoring opportunities,” McIlroy told DP World Tour media.
“The back nine, for the most part, played downwind, so there was maybe some other chances, but that front nine, I think especially by the time we teed off and some of the leaders, it was very, very difficult, very tricky to pick a club and commit to what you were doing.
“The wind was up and down a little bit, so it was hard to trust that the wind was going to do what you thought it was going to do, but I stayed as patient as I could, and then I feel like that patience was rewarded over those last few holes.
“Good birdie on 12, and then always feel like this golf course always gives you a chance to salvage maybe a tough or a frustrating day, and I was able to do that by playing those last two holes at three-under.”
Spain’s Manuel Elvira and Italian Filippo Celli lead heading into the final day, both sitting at 13-under, while three others – Alejandro Del Rey, JJ Spaun and Johannes Veerman – are 12-under, leaving it all to play for on Sunday.
McIlroy is trying to reel in Patrick Reed to win a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title and he can boost those hopes by securing the second BMW PGA Championship title of his career on Sunday.
“Look, I’ve got a big opportunity tomorrow on both fronts,” McIlroy added. “I’d love to win this tournament again. It’s been 12 years and I have so many great memories of Wentworth in general.
“I came here for the first time I think as a 10-year-old to watch the World Matchplay all the way back in the day. It was always half-term, I always came with my mum and dad and watch this one.
“Fast-forward, I’ve won this event, I’ve played a lot here, we now have a house on the estate as well.
“This place has got a lot of history for me, so hopefully I have a good day tomorrow and give myself a real chance at it again.”
