Ah, Wentworth Club, you’ve served up another cracker this weekend, and it’s none other than Matteo Manassero leading the parade at the BMW PGA Championship.
If you missed Saturday’s action, you missed a kaleidoscope of weather and golfing fireworks. Torrential rain to start, but oh, that finish in glorious sunshine—it was like watching a great play unfold in the best weather you could ask for a golf match.
Matteo, once a young golfing prodigy, now a seasoned challenger, put on a clinic with a dazzling third-round 63, leaving him three shots ahead of the chase pack.
This isn’t just any pack, mind you, but includes heavy hitters like Rory McIlroy and Billy Horschel. It’s not every day you see a leaderboard this stacked, but when you do, it’s sure to get the heart racing.
Imagine this: Six leaders in one day! It’s like watching a thrilling ping-pong match, each player seizing the lead only to pass it on.
But it was Matteo who stole the show, his scorecard blazing with an eagle and six birdies to post a record 18 under—yes, you heard that right—the lowest 54-hole score to par in the storied history of this event.
The lad’s making a thunderous claim for the title, echoing his victory dance from 2013.
After a bit of a tumble in his career, losing his playing rights and taking a short sabbatical from the game, Matteo’s resurgence is nothing short of cinematic.
This chap’s journey through the Alps Tour and the European Challenge Tour, and his recent win at the Jonsson Workwear Open, is a tale for the ages. He’s back with a vengeance, ready to duel it out with Rory again in Sunday’s final group, reminiscent of last week’s showdown at the Amgen Irish Open.
Matteo Manassero: I have to be honest, one of the best rounds I’ve ever played. Considering the conditions at the beginning especially. It rained a lot, and the course is playing soft but also long. There’s not too many birdies out there but I made the most out of all I could, really, and it was a fantastic round.
It’s great, guys like Rory and Billy, and the atmosphere at Wentworth, such a fantastic show. Of course, you feed from that. You feed from playing with the great players. So it was one of those really nice atmospheres.
I know what I’m going to face tomorrow, and it’s great position to be in. But I always try to look at how I can go out there and feel nice, feel good with myself towards the task I’m going to have to face. It will not be an easy task. Golf was great to me today but I will see about tomorrow.
I will take everything in hand and when I go out tomorrow, I will make the most out of Sunday.
I know what I’m doing much more; I think a better perspective about golf and being atop the leaderboard, but it’s not that comfortable.
It’s not easy to compete at such a high level in tough conditions. It’s not easy. It’s not like the ideal comfort zone but that’s what we work for. That’s what we try and achieve. Just happy where I am.
Meanwhile, let’s not forget the others making moves. Matthew Baldwin, the overnight leader, managed a steady 70 to hold forth at 14 under, while Antoine Rozner and Thriston Lawrence are nipping at his heels.
And then there’s Jeff Winther, who sparked his own magic with a hole-in-one on the second—a shot heard around Wentworth!
As we gear up for Sunday’s finale, keep your eyes on this dynamic field where legends are battling and new heroes are emerging at the BMW PGA Championship.
It’s golf at its finest, with every swing and putt writing another chapter of this splendid tournament’s history.
