Rory McIlroy clawed his way back into the hunt for the title at the BMW Championship on the third day of competition in St. Louis, posting a five‑under‑par 65 to surge up the leaderboard while Wyndham Clark managed to cling to the top spot after a wildly fluctuating round.
McIlroy entered the tournament still searching for a bounce‑back after a disappointing eight‑over finish at the St. Jude Championship the week before. He opened the BMW Championship with a brilliant six‑under‑par 64, sharing the early lead and signaling that he was still a serious contender. However, his momentum stalled on Friday when he carded a 69, dropping a few strokes off the pace and allowing other players to surge ahead.
On Saturday, the two‑time Masters champion found his rhythm again. He birdied four of the final six holes, a stretch that propelled him to a total of 12 under par for the tournament. That effort vaulted him into a tie for second place alongside American Patrick Cantlay. Despite still trailing leader Wyndham Clark by five strokes, McIlroy remained optimistic, acknowledging the sizable gap but emphasizing a focus on his own game.
"That's a lot to make up," he said, "but if I concentrate on my own shots, keep scoring well – I shot a 64 and a 65 this week – and replicate that tomorrow, anything can happen." Clark, who is chasing his third victory of the season, experienced a roller‑coaster round of his own. He stumbled out of the gates with a double bogey on the first hole, briefly surrendering his lead.
Yet he quickly regained composure, stringing together five birdies and an eagle over an eight‑hole stretch that culminated in a five‑under‑par 65. That surge re‑established a five‑stroke cushion over the chasing pack and kept him firmly in the driver's seat.
Further down the field, home‑grown hopefuls Gary Woodland and Chris Gotterup sat just a shot behind McIlroy and Cantlay at 11 under par, still within striking distance. Meanwhile, JJ Spaun’s campaign quickly unraveled as he fell to two over par, effectively ending his contention. World No.
1 Scottie Scheffler, who had dominated the St. Jude Championship a week earlier, found himself on the back foot after a first‑round 72 that left him two over par. He steadied his performance with a solid 68 on day three, placing him at five under and keeping him in the mix, though still well off the leaderboard leaders. The BMW Championship will conclude on Sunday, with live coverage beginning at 5 p.m.
on Sky Sports Golf and continuing at 7:30 p.m. on Sky Sports Main Event. For viewers without a traditional Sky subscription, flexible streaming options are available through NOW, which offers contract‑free access to the tournament.
Beyond the competition, golf enthusiasts can take advantage of special offers to book a round at any of the 1,700 courses spread across the United Kingdom and Ireland. By entering a course name, city, or postal code into the search tool, players can compare prices and secure tee times at a wide variety of venues. (If no results appear, users are encouraged to try a different search term.) Overall, the third round at the BMW Championship highlighted the volatility and excitement inherent in professional golf. McIlroy’s resurgence demonstrated his resilience and ability to rebound from setbacks, while Clark’s ability to recover from an early double bogey underscored why he remains a top contender.
As the tournament heads into its final day, the five‑stroke gap could narrow dramatically if McIlroy and other challengers continue to post low scores. Golf fans can look forward to a thrilling finish, with the potential for dramatic swings on the leaderboard as the world’s best players vie for the coveted title.