Frustrated Rory McIlroy chasing angry Matthew Fitzpatrick at BMW Championship

England's Matthew Fitzpatrick will play in the final group of the BMW Championship alongside Scottie Scheffler but the duo are being chased by Rory McIlroy.

Ben Smith

19 Aug 2023

Frustrated Rory McIlroy chasing angry Matthew Fitzpatrick at BMW Championship — Frustrated Rory McIlroy chasing angry Matthew Fitzpatrick at BMW…

Rory McIlroy is three off the lead going into the final round of the BMW Championship.

McIlroy made a blistering start at Olympia Fields Country Club in Chicago by birdieing three of his opening four holes.

He turned in 3-under 32 but cut a frustrated figure after making back-to-back bogeys at No. 9 and 10 which killed his momentum.

The Northern Irishman, who is chasing his fourth FedEx Cup title, ultimately carded a third round of 3-under 67 to sit on 8-under par.

"Got off to a great start, holed some nice putts early, sort of stalled in the middle of the round," said McIlroy.

"Had those two bogeys at 9 and 10. Then I felt like I played really good coming in.

"Basically [I] gave myself a great up-and-down on 14, and then gave myself four great chances on the last four holes and only converted one of them."

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McIlroy is also trialling the Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 putter.

How close is he to feeling like this flatstick is getting there?

McIlroy said:

"It's just the consistency of it. Those putts like on 10 or the missed putts coming down the last few holes here, I know when I'm putting well, I should hole those and I'm not. It's a little frustrating.

"I feel like the rest of my game is in good enough shape to make up for it, but I'd love to have a full 18 holes where I feel with the putter like I felt for like the first six."

"[It was] a little disappointing there. Felt like I could have been a couple closer to the lead. But overall happy with how I played today compared to yesterday."

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England's Matthew Fitzpatrick and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will play in the final group.

Scheffler carded a 6-under 64 with a round that contained seven birdies, his only blemish coming at No. 9.

Fitzpatrick carded five birdies and was faultless apart from making a complete hash of his final hole.

The 2022 U.S. Open champion missed his tee shot right at No. 18 then hooked his second left into the deep rough.

Fitzpatrick did well to save a bogey but will no doubt be annoyed with his finish.

He was even more perturbed as he believed a tournament official may have accidentally trodden on his golf ball.

"He got the Fitzpatrick stare," he joked to Sky Sports.

The field here comprises the top 50 in the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup rankings and only the top 30 will qualify for next week's Tour Championship finale in Atlanta.

There will be a $75m purse and $18m awarded to the FedEx Cup champion.

Elsewhere, champion golfer of the year Brian Harman is in solo third on 10-under.

United States Ryder Cup hopeful Max Homa is fourth on 9-under. Joining McIlroy in T-5 is Viktor Hovland.

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