Rory McIlroy keeps BMW Championship hopes alive with strong third round

McIlroy has been looking for a response after labouring to an eight-over finish at last week’s St Jude Championship, and shot a fine six-under opening round for a share of the lead, before following that up with a 69 on Friday.

The back-to-back Masters champion again appeared in steady form during the front nine on Saturday, turning at one under after a birdie on the par-three second before another on 11.

World number two McIlroy then stepped things up with a run of four birdies from the 13th, sandwiched by a bogey at the 14th.

The Northern Irishman found both bunkers with his opening two shots on the 18th, but then almost chipped in with a fine recovery effort before saving par.

McIlroy finished the day at 12 under, looking to keep pace with Clark, who dropped his first shots of the tournament with a double bogey on the opening hole before an eagle at the eighth and a strong back nine saw him finish with a 65, having failed to save par on the last.

“I think I needed to be patient the last three days, because my game has been good in parts, but then it has been a struggle in other ways,” McIlroy told reporters.

“I didn’t hit my first fairway today until the 10th hole, playing this golf course from the rough isn’t fun, but I hung in there, my short game saved me a couple of times and I got some momentum coming in.

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“I am in a good spot going into tomorrow in terms of where I am at on the leaderboard, but it’s going to take a heroic effort from one of us to catch Wyndham.”

Patrick Cantlay is alongside McIlroy at 12 under, with Chris Gotterup a shot further back alongside Gary Woodland, who dropped back after a 70.

JJ Spaun also saw his challenge fade after a two-over round.

World number one Scottie Scheffler – who had coasted to an impressive victory at last week’s St Jude Championship, but was two over after a first-round 72 – sits in a group on five under after his 68.