Matteo Manassero rolls back the years, Billy Horschel goes birdie hunting and Yannik Paul's pearler.
Everything you need to know from a contrasting Moving Day at Wentworth Club.
Maestro Manassero moves clear
Matteo Manassero described his third round as one of his best ever after his flawless 63 saw his storm into a three-shot lead on Saturday. The 31-year-old, who won this event in 2013 before losing his playing rights five years later, carded an eagle and six birdies to set the lowest 54-hole score to par in the tournament's history at 18 under on a day which began in heavy rain and finished in glorious sunshine. "It was one of the best rounds I've ever played considering the conditions, especially on the front nine," the Italian said. "It was raining, it was soft but it was playing long. There wasn't too many birdies out there but I made the most of them and it was just a fantastic round. It's not going to be an easy task tomorrow, golf today was great with me and we will see about tomorrow. I will take everything in hand with what this event means and I will make the most out of a Sunday in tough but nice conditions."
Horschel's birdie blitz
Billy Horschel produced a career best seven consecutive birdies from the eighth to catapult himself into contention at Virginia Water. The American bookended his birdie streak with bogeys, but he picked up two more shots to shoot 65 and sit alongside Rory McIlroy as Manassero's closest rivals at 15 under. The trio, who were playing partners on Moving Day, will be together in the final group on Sunday. "The hole looked like the size of the Atlantic Ocean," The World Number 24 said about his seven hole birdie run. "I made some long putts and had some close ones as well. It was pretty special. After my bogey on number seven, I got started. We were all feeding off each other. Rory could easily have shot two or three better. He hit some putts there at the end that could easily have gone in. But yeah, really good round of golf with two really good guys and looks like we're going to be grouped together again tomorrow."
Every birdie from @BillyHo_Golf as he makes SEVEN in a row 🤯#BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/rxgTney6Ob
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 21, 2024
Horschel entertained the huge crowd at the last when he mimicked Happy Gilmore with his short birdie putt.
Winther is coming!
The second ace of the week was recorded during the early knockings of the third round by Jeff Winther. The Dane used a nine iron for the 141-yard second to kickstart his round before eventually settling for a 68, nine shots shots off the lead. Winther joins Germany's Hurly Long on the hole-in-one honours list after his effort at the fifth in the first round.
Pepperell peppers the pin
Several of the stars on show at Wentworth were dialled in at par three holes during the third round, and Eddie Pepperell came very close to adding a third hole-in-one of the week. The popular Englishman is nine off the lead after six birdies and three bogeys in his 69. But look at this tee-shot at the tenth, how close was that.
Paul produces a pearler
Yannik Paul enjoyed a roller coaster third round which saw him record scores between two and six at Wentworth. He had rolled in three birdies to go with a double bogey and a dropped shot before teeing off at the 16th. The German then rattled in this approach for an eagle two and followed it up with a birdie at the next to climb into double figures for the week. What a shot!