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 that vaulted him back toward the front of the leaderboard.
Meanwhile, Wyndham Clark, who had been leading, managed to preserve his advantage despite a chaotic round that saw him stumble early before regaining composure. McIlroy entered the tournament with a lingering sense of unfinished business after a disappointing eight‑over finish at the St. Jude Championship the week before.
He opened the BMW Championship with a spectacular six‑under‑par 64, sharing the top spot after round one. However, his momentum stalled on Friday when he carded a 69, slipping a few strokes behind the leaders and leaving him in a modest position heading into the weekend. On Saturday, the former back‑to‑back Masters champion produced a masterclass in finishing‑hole execution.
He birdied four of the final six holes, a surge that lifted his total to 12 under par and vaulted him into a tie for second place alongside American Patrick Cantlay. The surge narrowed the gap to leader Wyndham Clark to five strokes, a deficit McIlroy acknowledged as substantial but not insurmountable. "That's a lot to make up," he said, but he also stressed the importance of staying focused on his own game. "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 with a double bogey on the opening hole, a setback that briefly handed the lead to other contenders. Undeterred, he launched into a remarkable eight‑hole run that featured five birdies and an eagle, ultimately posting a five‑under‑par 65 that re‑established a five‑stroke cushion over the field. Other notable players also made moves on the leaderboard.
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. JJ Spaun, who had been in contention earlier, saw his challenge evaporate as he fell to two over for the day, slipping out of the mix. World number one Scottie Scheffler, fresh off a dominant victory at the St. Jude Championship, struggled to find his rhythm at the BMW Championship.
After a first‑round 72 that left him two over par, he posted a 68 on day three, positioning himself at five under and placing him in a group that remains within striking distance if he can string together a few strong rounds. The tournament’s live coverage will conclude on Sunday, with the final round slated to begin at 5 p.m.
on Sky Sports Golf and at 7:30 p.m. on Sky Sports Main Event.
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Overall, the BMW Championship continues to deliver drama and shifting fortunes as the field navigates the demanding layout in St. Louis. McIlroy’s resurgence demonstrates his resilience and his ability to mount a comeback when the stakes are high, while Clark’s ability to rebound from an early mishap underscores why he remains a formidable contender. As the tournament moves into its final day, the five‑stroke gap could shrink dramatically if McIlroy and the other chasers can replicate their recent low scores.
Golf enthusiasts will be watching closely to see whether the former Masters champion can close the distance, whether Clark can defend his lead, and how the rest of the elite field positions itself for a potential upset in the closing round.