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 climb the leaderboard. Meanwhile, Wyndham Clark managed to preserve his position at the top of the field despite a roller‑coaster round that saw him tumble briefly before rebounding.
McIlroy entered the tournament still searching for a response after a disappointing performance at the St. Jude Championship the week before, where he finished a staggering eight strokes over par. He opened the BMW Championship with a brilliant 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, dropping him down the standings. On Saturday, the two‑time Masters champion found his rhythm again, delivering a superb finish by birdieing four of the final six holes.
His strong finish brought his total to 12 under par, vaulting him into a tie for second place alongside American golfer Patrick Cantlay. The pair now sit five strokes behind tournament leader Wyndham Clark. Speaking about the sizable gap to the leader, McIlroy acknowledged the challenge but remained optimistic.
"That's a lot to make up," he said, before adding, "If I concentrate on my own game and keep shooting good numbers – I posted a 64 and a 65 this week – and keep that level tomorrow, anything is possible." Clark, who is chasing his third victory of the season, experienced a shaky start to his round with a double bogey on the opening hole, which briefly handed the lead to other players. Undeterred, he quickly regained composure, stringing together five birdies and an eagle over an eight‑hole stretch. He finished his round with a five‑under‑par 65, extending his lead to five strokes over the nearest rivals. Other notable competitors include home‑grown hopefuls Gary Woodland and Chris Gotterup, who sit just one shot further back at 11 under par.
Meanwhile, JJ Spaun’s challenge quickly unraveled as he fell to two over par, effectively ending his contention. World number one Scottie Scheffler, who had breezed to a commanding win at the St. Jude Championship the previous week, struggled early at the BMW Championship, posting a first‑round 72 that left him two over par.
He has since steadied his play with a 68, placing him at five under par and keeping him within striking distance of the leaders. The tournament’s live coverage will conclude on Sunday, with broadcasts scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf and 7:30 p.m. on Sky Sports Main Event.
For viewers without a Sky subscription, a range of streaming options and contract‑free deals are available through NOW and other platforms. Golf enthusiasts looking to experience the sport firsthand can also take advantage of special offers on 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 book a round at a nearby venue. Overall, the BMW Championship remains tightly contested, with McIlroy’s resurgence adding fresh excitement to the leaderboard.
If he can maintain his recent form and continue to post low scores, the gap to Clark could narrow dramatically over the final day. The tournament promises a thrilling finish as the remaining contenders vie for the prestigious title and the valuable FedEx Cup points that accompany it.