McIlroy closes gap on PGA Championship leaders after third-round surge
Improved scoring conditions and a steady round of 66 see Rory McIlroy climb back into major contention, though he remains one shot behind early clubhouse leaders Matti Schmid and Nick Taylor.
Rory McIlroy has re-entered the conversation at the PGA Championship following a composed third-round performance on Saturday. The two-time reigning Masters champion carded a 4-under 66 to finish the day at 3 under par, reducing the deficit to just one stroke behind the early clubhouse leaders.
McIlroy’s recovery follows a difficult opening round where he posted a 4-over 74, leaving him tied for 105th place on the leaderboard. By the end of the third round, he had clawed back all but one stroke of that initial deficit. He acknowledged the significance of the turnaround, stating he was proud of his recovery but emphasised that there is one more day of golf remaining to secure victory.
The early clubhouse leadership is shared by Matti Schmid of Germany and Nick Taylor of Canada, who both posted 5-under 65s. Other notable performers benefiting from the conditions included Chris Kirk and Kristoffer Reitan, who also carded 5-under 65s. Kirk missed a chance to tie the course record of 8-under 62 after a double-bogey on the 18th, while Reitan secured two eagles during his round.
Scoring conditions improved significantly on Saturday morning, with lighter winds and warmer temperatures aiding the field. The PGA of America also adjusted pin positions to be more generous compared to the first two rounds, a change that world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler had previously described as among the most difficult he had encountered on the PGA Tour. McIlroy noted that while some hole locations remained tucked, the overall setup allowed for better scoring opportunities.
Historical data from the Elias Sports Bureau highlights the rarity of McIlroy’s current position. A victory from this standing would make him only the fifth golfer to win a major championship after being 50th or worse after the first round. Steve Jones was the last to achieve this feat, having been tied for 84th after the opening round of the 1996 U.S. Open.
As the day progressed, weather conditions shifted again. McIlroy observed that the wind began to whip towards the end of the round, potentially complicating the afternoon tee times for those yet to play. Despite the changing elements, McIlroy’s front-nine performance, which included birdies on the first, fifth, and sixth holes, set a strong foundation for his return to the top of the leaderboard.
