Manuel Elvira and Filippo Celli lead BMW PGA Championship as Rory McIlroy sits two back

Shared lead at Wentworth

Spain's Manuel Elvira and Italy's Filippo Celli reached 13 under par on Saturday to share the 54-hole lead at the BMW PGA Championship. Both players birdied the par-5 18th hole at Wentworth Club to break clear of a packed chasing field after navigating difficult afternoon wind. Celli, ranked 358th in the Official World Golf Ranking, and Elvira, ranked 294th, hold a one-shot advantage over three competitors tied for third place. Alejandro Del Rey, JJ Spaun and Johannes Veerman sit on 12 under par heading into the final round. Del Rey and Veerman each carded third-round scores of 64 on Saturday to climb up the standings in Surrey.

Manuel Elvira13

Filippo Celli13

Alejandro Del Rey12

JJ Spaun12

Johannes Veerman12

Rory McIlroy11

Adam Scott11

Joaquin Niemann11

Davis Bryant11

Kristoffer Reitan11

Manuel Elvira

13 under par

Filippo Celli

13 under par

Alejandro Del Rey

12 under par

JJ Spaun

12 under par

Johannes Veerman

12 under par

Rory McIlroy

11 under par

Adam Scott

11 under par

Joaquin Niemann

11 under par

Davis Bryant

11 under par

Kristoffer Reitan

11 under par

Data from the article text

McIlroy mounts late charge on par fives

Rory McIlroy finished his third round two strokes off the lead at 11 under par after a late charge across the closing holes. The world number two experienced a difficult start in blustery conditions, finding himself one over par through 11 holes following bogeys on the eighth and ninth. McIlroy recovered by taking advantage of Wentworth's par fives, carding birdies on the fourth, 12th and 17th holes before reaching the 18th. On the final hole, he struck a 230-yard four-iron approach to within two feet of the pin and made the eagle putt.

“It was a perfect number for me. I could fight the wind with it a little bit to get to land soft. I stood up and made a good, committed swing.”

Compact leaderboard leaves 20 within four shots

A total of 20 players remain within four strokes of the lead heading into Sunday's final round. McIlroy shares sixth position at 11 under par alongside Adam Scott, Joaquin Niemann, Davis Bryant and Kristoffer Reitan, who also posted a 64 on Saturday. Scott missed an eagle opportunity on the 18th green for the second time in three days. Sam Bairstow, Matt Wallace and Robert MacIntyre sit three strokes behind the leaders on 10 under par, while Jordan Smith, Matt Fitzpatrick and Aaron Rai are at nine under. Shane Lowry sits at seven under par following a round of 69, level with Ross Fisher.

“I think the conditions over the last couple of days are the reason why no-one has got away from the pack, just because it has played so tricky and difficult.”

Final round pairings and title pursuits

McIlroy is scheduled to tee off for the final round at 12:25pm on Sunday alongside Scott. The Northern Irishman is pursuing his second career victory at Wentworth following his win in 2014, while also seeking points toward an eighth Race to Dubai title. Having won the Masters in April, McIlroy is aiming to add another title five months later, matching a pattern from September 2025 when he won the Irish Open at the K Club. Spaun, who is competing after being left off the United States Presidents Cup team, remains one shot back, while former champion Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton, David Law and Ewen Ferguson enter Sunday at five under par.