Rory McIlroy revived his tournament hopes on the third day of the BMW Championship in St. Louis by posting a five‑under‑par 65, pulling himself back into the chase for the title.
Meanwhile, Wyndham Clark, who entered the day holding the lead, managed to retain his top‑spot despite a chaotic round that saw his advantage shrink and then expand again. McIlroy arrived at the BMW Championship still searching for a bounce‑back after a disappointing eight‑over‑par finish at the St.
Jude Championship the week before. He opened the tournament with a brilliant six‑under‑par 64, sharing the early lead with a handful of competitors.
However, his momentum stalled on Saturday morning when he carded a 69, slipping a few strokes behind the leaders and leaving his position in the leaderboard uncertain. Determined to regain ground, the two‑time Masters champion attacked the back nine on the third day with a series of aggressive moves.
He birdied four of the final six holes, a stretch that allowed him to finish the round at 12 under par overall. That score vaulted him into a tie for second place alongside American Patrick Cantlay. The two now sit five strokes behind tournament leader Wyndham Clark, who entered the day with a comfortable cushion but faced his own set of challenges. Speaking about the five‑stroke gap separating him from Clark, McIlroy acknowledged the difficulty of the task but remained optimistic.
"That's a lot to make up," he said, before adding, "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." His comments underscored a belief that consistent low rounds could quickly erase the deficit, especially in a tournament where the leaderboard can shift dramatically from one day to the next. Clark, who is chasing his third victory of the season, experienced a roller‑coaster round that began with a double bogey on the opening hole. The early setback threatened his lead, but he responded with a remarkable surge of five birdies and an eagle over an eight‑hole stretch.
This impressive run culminated in a five‑under‑par 65 for the day, re‑establishing a five‑stroke margin over the nearest challengers and reinforcing his position at the top of the leaderboard. Other notable players were also in the mix. Home‑grown hopefuls Gary Woodland and Chris Gotterup trailed McIlroy and Cantlay by a single stroke, both sitting at 11 under par after the third round. Meanwhile, JJ Spaun saw his contention evaporate after a disappointing two‑over‑par round that dropped him down the field.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who had breezed through a dominant win at the St.
Jude Championship the previous week, struggled on the first day of the BMW Championship with a 72 that left him two over par. However, he steadied his game with a 68 on day three, positioning himself at five under par and keeping his hopes alive for a strong finish.
The tournament will conclude on Sunday, with live coverage slated to begin at 5 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf and continue at 7:30 p.m. on Sky Sports Main Event.
For viewers without a traditional Sky subscription, the event can be streamed without a contract via NOW, offering flexible access to the final round. Beyond the on‑course drama, golf enthusiasts can take advantage of special offers to book tee times at more than 1,700 courses throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.
By entering a city, course name, or postal code, players can find the best rates and secure a round at a venue of their choosing. This service aims to make the sport more accessible, whether you are a casual weekend player or a dedicated competitor. In summary, the BMW Championship has delivered a compelling narrative of resilience and rivalry. McIlroy’s resurgence, Clark’s tenacious defense of his lead, and the fluctuating fortunes of other top contenders illustrate the unpredictable nature of elite golf.
As the final day approaches, fans can anticipate a thrilling finish, with every shot potentially reshaping the leaderboard and determining who will lift the coveted trophy.