Were he not trying to scratch an itch of his own, Rory McIlroy would be rooting for Matteo Manassero on the final day here.
In the 11 years since Manassero prevailed at the PGA Championship, he has endured a slump that took him to 1,805th in the world and mini tours.
Once a teenage superstar and, at the time the youngest player to make a Masters cut, he suffered the steepest of declines after a ruinous bid to add more length to his armoury.
The Italian’s subsequent resurgence peaked with a DP World Tour win in South Africa in March. Manassero’s three-shot lead with 18 holes to play in Surrey means he is within touching distance of the most significant victory of an incredible career.
McIlroy had a close-up view as Manassero made a third round of 63 to reach 18 under par. McIlroy and Billy Horschel lurk at minus 15. The DP World Tour’s flagship event is delivering once again.
“It’s unbelievable,” said McIlroy of Manassero. “I don’t think you would find one player on tour that isn’t so happy for him.
“To be a young phenom and then lose your game, and go play the Alps Tour … the character that you need to do that.
“It’s amazing to see. I was really impressed when I played with him in Scotland in July and the final round together last week; again, this week. It’s really great to see. He’s such a nice guy, level-headed and good to see him back to where he belongs.”
McIlroy, though, has strong motivation of his own. Last weekend at the Irish Open spectators witnessed the four-time major winner’s latest brush with glory. By his own admission, he has been a nearly man for much of 2024.
“I haven’t won since May but given myself plenty of chances,” he said. “I’m due but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily going to happen. I’ve always liked being in this position, a couple back, trying to get off to a fast start. Hopefully I can do that and put some pressure on early doors.
“It’s been a familiar story with my career. I have setbacks and I usually come back pretty well from them. Some are harder than others, but in this game you have to be resilient. You have to understand and recognise that you’re going to lose a lot more than you win, and you have to be OK with that and you have to accept that.
“I’ve definitely been on that accepting side this year but it’s good to be back in the mix.
“The crowds have been absolutely incredible. I remember being 11 or 12 and coming here to watch the World Match Play, following all my heroes at the time. Wentworth is a special place for me, so to give myself another chance here, I am really happy.”
Quick Guide
How do I sign up for sport breaking news alerts?
Show
- Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for ‘The Guardian’.
- If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the most recent version.
- In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications.
- Turn on sport notifications.
Manassero birdied his last three holes and six of his final eight. “That is one of the best rounds I have ever played,” he said.
“I have a better perspective about golf and being top of 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 like the ideal comfort zone but that’s what we work for. That’s what we try and achieve.”
Next year’s Ryder Cup in New York is suddenly a perfectly legitimate target.
McIlroy, seeking to keep pace with the leader, found water with his second shot at the 18th but saved par. On an afternoon of low scoring, McIlroy’s 66 was bettered by one by Horschel. The top three players on the leaderboard are all past champions here. Matthew Baldwin sits at 14 under after 54 holes, one ahead of Thriston Lawrence and Antoine Rozner.