Eleven years since becoming the youngest winner of the BMW PGA Championship, Matteo Manassero from Italy is three strokes ahead going into the final round at Wentworth. Manassero, who was merely 20 years old when he won his fourth DP World Tour title in May 2013, delivered an impeccable third round, which included an eagle and seven birdies to achieve 18 under par – a new tournament record.
He managed this feat by striking six birdies within the last eight holes, putting himself ahead of Rory McIlroy and Billy Horschel, his playing mates who had to battle against intermittent periods of torrential rainfall and delivered scores of 66 and 65. Matt Baldwin, who had tied the tournament record with his halfway score of 13 under par, fell behind four shots after a 71 scorecard.
Manassero’s 2013 playoff victory hinted at his promising future in European golf. However, his pursuit of increased drive led him to fall to 1,805th in the global rankings. His career began to pick up following his win at the developmental Alps Tour three years back.
After his victories in two of the Challenge Tour events last year, Manassero seized his primary top-tier win in over a decade in March 2022 in South Africa. He is eyeing his next win of the season.
In his words, winning one of the eminent golf events outside of the Majors would mean the world to him. The challenge of competing against top-notch players on a tough golf course signifies a lot. But for Manassero, playing three impressive golf rounds and being in this position is already a major achievement. Despite his initial hesitancy, he remains hopeful, regardless of the uncertain nature of success.
Manassero partnered with McIlroy in the conclusive round of Ireland’s Open on Sunday, both of them eventually outpaced by Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark in an exciting ending at Royal County Down.
“Every player on the Tour is thrilled for him,” McIlroy stated regarding Manassero. “Going from being a whiz-kid to losing your touch and starting to play the Alps Tour, that requires character. It’s heartening to see him recover his form. He’s a wonderful person, down-to-earth, and it’s fantastic to see him return to his true form.”
McIlroy, world number three, is also chasing a second Wentworth triumph after a considerable wait. He clinched the title in 2014, which was followed by two Majors, the Open and the US PGA.
“I’ve missed several good opportunities since I won here,” McIlroy reflected after managing a par on the 18th despite an approach into the water.
“I’m practically living at Wentworth now, as I’m building a house here. I adore it and getting my name on the trophy again would just be sensational.”
When quizzed about recovering from narrowly missing out on a maiden professional victory just a week prior in Northern Ireland, McIlroy noted: “This seems to be a recurring theme in my career.
“I tend to bounce back fairly well from setbacks. Some are more challenging than others, of course, but you have to be resilient in golf.”
“You need to accept the fact that you’re going to face more losses than victories, and that’s okay. I haven’t tasted victory since May but I’ve had a fair share of opportunities. I’m due a win, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to happen.”
Horschel is another player aiming for a second BMW PGA Championship title after becoming only the second American champion after Arnold Palmer in 2021 with a one-stroke victory.
The 37-year-old racked up seven birdies sequentially from the eighth, just missing the Tour record by two, and achieved a birdie on the 18th to join the final group with McIlroy and Manassero on Sunday.
Horschel likened the size of the hole to the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean. He was able to make several long and close putts, which he defined as a significant moment. Pádraig Harrington, the fifty-three-year-old golf player from Dublin, ended up in a tie for the 21st place on eight under, following his matching 66 round with McIlroy’s in the third round. Notably, he achieved six birdies without any bogeys, having started from the ninth hole.
Tom McKibbin also marked six birdies, as well as a double-bogey five on the par-3 second during his four-under 68 round. This performance elevated him to seven under. Concurrently, Shane Lowry recorded a one-under 71 for the second consecutive day and is set to begin his last round on the same score.