Rory McIlroy ready to battle comeback kid Matteo Manassero for long-awaited BMW PGA Championship

A picture of Rory McIlroy as he leaves the 18th on day three of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club
-Credit: (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)


Italian golfer Matteo Manassero will go into the final round of the BMW PGA Championship with a three-shot lead, 11 years after becoming the youngest winner of the tournament.

Manassero, 31, shot an impressive 63 in the third round, including an eagle and seven birdies, to reach 18 under par and set a new tournament record. His flawless performance saw him pull ahead of playing partners Rory McIlroy and Billy Horschel, who scored 66 and 65 respectively, despite challenging weather conditions. Meanwhile, overnight leader Matt Baldwin dropped four shots off the pace with a 71.

Manassero's victory in 2013 had marked him out as a rising star in European golf, but he struggled to maintain his form in pursuit of extra distance and saw his world ranking plummet to 1,805th. However, he has since regained momentum, winning on the Alps Tour three years ago, followed by two Challenge Tour victories last year and a top-tier win in South Africa in March.

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A second victory of the season is now within his sights, and Manassero acknowledged the significance of winning such a prestigious event. "It would mean winning one of the best events in golf outside the majors," he said. "It's a massive thing and against great players on a tough golf course it would mean a lot.

"It already means a lot to be here in this position having played three really good rounds of golf. That's already a very good sign for myself. I did fear I wouldn't get back because you're never sure until you actually do it. Even when you're playing better, doing things well and you don't succeed then you're never sure, even though you may be really close."

Manassero found himself in the final group alongside McIlroy at the Irish Open on Sunday, but both were surpassed by Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard in an exciting conclusion at Royal County Down. "I don't think you would find one player on Tour that isn't so happy for him," McIlroy said of Manassero.

"To be a young phenom and then lose your game and go play the Alps Tour, the character you need to do that is amazing to see. He's such a nice guy, level-headed and it's good to see him back to where he belongs."

McIlroy himself is chasing a second victory at Wentworth after a long wait, with the world number three last lifting the title in 2014 before going on to secure his third and fourth majors in the Open and US PGA. "Since I won here I've had a few good chances I've let slip by," McIlroy admitted after saving par on the 18th following an approach into the water.

"I'm basically a resident at Wentworth now, building a house here. I love it here. It would be amazing to get my name on the trophy again." Reflecting on how he moves forward from narrowly missing out on a first professional victory in Northern Ireland the previous week, Rory McIlroy said: "I think it's been a familiar story with my career.

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"I have setbacks and I usually come back pretty well from them. Some are harder than others, obviously, but I think in this game you have to be resilient." Despite not having clinched a win since May, McIlroy feels optimistic about his chances: "I haven't won since May but have given myself plenty of chances. I'm due, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily going to happen."

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