Rory McIlroy bounces back with third round 65 at Wentworth

Rory McIlroy wasn’t going to stay down for long. Not with the way he’s played in the last 12 months. McIlroy bounced back with a 7-under 65 Saturday at the BMW PGA Championship to move back into contention.

McIlroy’s week didn’t get off to a great start, when he made six bogeys and a double in the first round for a 76. The 30-year-old declined to talk with the media after that round, earning plenty of ire from the reporters on site.

After shooting a solid 69 in the second round, the PGA Tour Player of the Year was asked what he needed to do in the third round. “I’ll be out early,” he said. “Plus one, obviously the leaders are way up there, but the conditions are going to be tricky. The course is getting firm. If I can shoot 7-under tomorrow, get myself to minus six, you never know.”

Well, he did exactly that. McIlroy made three birdies early on his front nine, added three more on the back and made an eagle on the 12th to tally 65. He tapped in on at 18 just as the event’s leaders — Jon Rahm and Danny Willett — were teeing off on no. 1.

McIlroy sits at six under for the tournament, and will need another 65-ish type of round to make things interesting. Feel like doubting him? Be our guest.

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