Eleven years after winning as a 20-year-old star, Matteo Manassero positioned himself to win the famous BMW PGA Championship again on Saturday.
Manassero scored 9-under 63, giving him a three-stroke lead after the third round.
A win would mark a comeback for Manassero, who was expected to be a major golf star as a teenager. However, his game declined, and he dropped to the third-tier Alps Tour, with a world ranking of 1,705.
This year, he returned to the European tour and won in South Africa in March. Now, he’s aiming for victory at this key event, which features a strong field, including Rory McIlroy.
“Thinking of the difficult years, to be standing here right now in the lead — it feels amazing,” Manassero said. “My perspective has changed. I’m going to go out and enjoy tomorrow.”
Manassero, currently ranked No. 101, celebrated after sinking a 12-foot putt at the last hole, finishing with three birdies in a row and a back nine score of 31 on the famous West Course, which faced heavy rain during the round.
He made seven birdies and an eagle 3 at No. 4, bringing his total to 18 under for the tournament.
“I have to be honest, one of the best rounds I’ve ever played,” Manassero said.
McIlroy shot 66 after recovering from hitting his second shot into the water at No. 18. The No. 3-ranked player, who won the event in 2014, is tied for second place with 2021 champion Billy Horschel, who shot a 65 that included seven straight birdies, making putts totaling 130 feet from No. 8.
“The hole looked like the size of the Atlantic Ocean,” Horschel said.
Matthew Baldwin, the overnight leader ranked No. 363, who was delivering Amazon packages two years ago, shot 71 and is in fourth place after a round that started with pouring rain and ended under sunny skies outside London.
