Rory McIlroy clawed his way back into the mix at the BMW Championship on the third day in St. Louis, posting a five‑under‑par 65 that vaulted him back toward the top of the leaderboard. Meanwhile, Wyndham Clark, who had been leading the tournament, managed to retain his advantage despite a chaotic round that saw several swings in momentum. McIlroy entered the event still searching for a response after a disappointing eight‑over‑par finish at the St.
Jude Championship the week before. He opened the BMW Championship with a spectacular six‑under‑par 64, sharing the early lead with a handful of other contenders. However, his momentum stalled on Friday when he carded a 69, which dropped him several strokes off the pace.
Saturday proved to be a turning point. The two‑time Masters champion displayed his trademark finishing fire, birdieing four of the final six holes.
Those clutch strokes pushed his total to 12‑under‑par, moving him into a tie for second place alongside American Patrick Cantlay. Despite still trailing leader Wyndham Clark by five strokes, McIlroy remained optimistic, noting, "That's a lot to make up, but if I focus on myself, try to shoot a good score – I shot a 64 and a 65 this week – shoot something similar tomorrow, you never know." Clark, who is chasing his third victory of the season, experienced a roller‑coaster round of his own. He began the day with a double bogey on the first hole, briefly surrendering his lead. Undeterred, the American rallied spectacularly, stringing together five birdies and an eagle over an eight‑hole stretch.
He closed the round with a five‑under‑par 65, extending his margin to five strokes and solidifying his position at the top of the leaderboard. Other notable players were also in the hunt. Home‑grown hopefuls Gary Woodland and Chris Gotterup found themselves a shot further back than McIlroy and Cantlay, both sitting at 11‑under‑par.
Meanwhile, JJ Spaun’s campaign faltered dramatically after he fell to two over par, effectively ending his contention. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who had cruised to a commanding win at the St. Jude Championship a week earlier, struggled early with a first‑round 72 that left him two over par.
He has since steadied his play, posting a 68 that places him at five‑under‑par and keeping him within striking distance. The tournament’s live coverage will conclude on Sunday, with the final round airing at 5 p.m.
on Sky Sports Golf and at 7:30 p.m. on Sky Sports Main Event. For viewers without a Sky subscription, the event can be streamed via NOW with flexible, contract‑free options.
Beyond the competition itself, the BMW Championship offers golf enthusiasts the chance to book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland. By entering a city, course name, or postal code, players can compare prices and secure a round at a venue that suits their skill level and preferences. The platform’s search tool is designed to be intuitive, though users may occasionally encounter a "No results found" message if the query is too specific or if the database lacks matching entries. In such cases, adjusting the search terms or expanding the geographic radius typically yields better results.
In summary, McIlroy’s five‑under‑par 65 on day three has reignited his championship hopes, while Clark’s resilient performance keeps him firmly in control of the tournament. With several strokes still to play and the final round looming, the BMW Championship promises an exciting finish, featuring a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent all vying for the coveted title.