Matteo Manassero stamped his authority with a flawless third round of 63 to move three shots clear of fellow past champions Rory McIlroy and Billy Horschel at the BMW PGA Championship.
Related: Matthew Baldwin stays in control at Wentworth
Six players held the lead in some capacity during a thrilling Saturday which started in torrential rain and finished in glorious sunshine at Wentworth Club.
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However, it was Italy’s Manassero who took the Rolex Series event by storm after carding an eagle and six birdies to reach 18 under – the lowest 54-hole score to par in the event’s history – and sit three clear of playing partners Horschel and McIlroy at 15 under.
The 31-year-old won this event in 2013 before a downturn in form saw him lose his playing rights five years later and resulted in him stepping away from the game for a few months before returning on the Alps Tour.
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Manassero worked his way through to the European Challenge Tour and regained his DP World Tour card for the current campaign, winning his fourth title at this level at the Jonsson Workwear Open in March.
It will be the second time in two weeks that Manassero and McIlroy will go head-to-head in the final group on Sunday, following last week’s Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down.
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Overnight leader Matthew Baldwin recorded a 70 to sit in fourth at 14 under, while Frenchman Antoine Rozner and South African Thriston Lawrence were one further back.
Player quotes
Matteo Manassero: I have to be honest, one of the best rounds I’ve ever played. Considering the conditions at the beginning especially. It rained a lot, and the course is playing soft but also long. There’s not too many birdies out there but I made the most out of all I could, really, and it was a fantastic round.
It’s great, guys like Rory and Billy, and the atmosphere at Wentworth, such a fantastic show. Of course, you feed from that. You feed from playing with the great players. So it was one of those really nice atmospheres.
I know what I’m going to face tomorrow, and it’s great position to be in. But I always try to look at how I can go out there and feel nice, feel good with myself towards the task I’m going to have to face. It will not be an easy task. Golf was great to me today but I will see about tomorrow.
I will take everything in hand and when I go out tomorrow, I will make the most out of Sunday.
I know what I’m doing much more; I think a better perspective about golf and being atop the leaderboard, but it’s not that comfortable. It’s not easy to compete at such a high level in tough conditions. It’s not easy. It’s not like the ideal comfort zone but that’s what we work for. That’s what we try and achieve. Just happy where I am.
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Billy Horschel: The hole looked like the size of the Atlantic Ocean (today). I made some long putts, and had some close ones as well. It was pretty special.
Matteo got off to a really good start. Made a run there in the middle of the round. After my bogey on No. 7, I got started. We were all feeding off each other. Rory could easily have shot two or three better. He hit some putts there at the end that could easily have gone in.
Really good round of golf with two really good guys and looks like we’re going to be grouped together again tomorrow.
I look back all the time (on 2021 win at Wentworth), especially when I start coming over here. Tonight I’ll reminisce a little bit. But I know it’s going to be a shootout tomorrow. I don’t know how bad the weather is going to be but the leaderboard is tight. No one is running away with it. So you have to come out and play some really good golf to try to hoist this trophy again.
Rory McIlroy: It was good. The course I thought was playing a touch easier (today). We had preferred lies out there and then with the rain, the course played quite soft. Very receptive. Felt like I played well. I sort of weathered a bit of a storm the first few holes.
A couple nice up-and-downs, and then played very solidly after that. Didn’t really make too many mistakes. I had a few chances that I let slip there on the back nine, but got going out there on moving day, shooting 6-under par, trying to keep up with Matteo.
It’s amazing. The crowds have been absolutely incredible. I remember being 11, 12 and coming here at The World Match Play and following all my heros at the time. Wentworth is a special place for me, so to give myself another chance here tomorrow, really happy. I won here in 2014, I’ve had a few good chances I’ve let slip by. I’m basically a resident at Wentworth now. Building a house here, too. I love it here. It would be amazing to get my name on the trophy again.
It’s unbelievable (Manassero’s return). I don’t think you would find one player on tour that isn’t so happy for him. To be like a young phenom and then lose your game, and go play the Alps Tour and play; I guess the character that you need to do that.
It’s amazing to see. I was really impressed when I played with him in Scotland earlier this year in July and obviously the final round together last week; again, this week. He’s such a nice guy, level-headed and good to see him back to where he belongs.
Last week, this week, Scottish Open a few week the ago, The Open. It’s just so good to come back here and play golf. It’s an absolute pleasure. I really enjoyed it this year, more so than other years for whatever reason that is.
