Saturday 26 May 2018 16:54, UK
Lee Westwood and Ross Fisher will go into the final round of the BMW PGA Championship with high hopes after both fired sub-70 rounds in tricky conditions on day three.
Firmer and faster conditions on the hottest day of the week at Wentworth saw scores soar compared to the first two rounds and, with overnight leader Rory McIlroy faltering, Westwood and Fisher ended the day firmly entrenched in the top 10.
Westwood, a two-time runner up in the tournament, has played only sparingly this year while dealing with knee and shoulder problems, but he has been a model of consistency this week and has dropped only three shots over the first 54 holes.
The veteran carded a three-under 69 which featured two birdies and an eagle at the 12th, although a bogey at the tough 15th dropped him back to eight under par.
"I have a few aches and pains, my knee is not so good and my shoulder always aches a little bit, but mentally I'm fresh," he said. "I feel pretty good. I've been looking forward to this for a few weeks now, and I've had a few weeks off to recharge.
"Being in contention in these big tournaments is what it's all about, and obviously I do get excited to be in contention at any tournament, but certainly these bigger ones, it makes all the practice worthwhile. It's where you want to be, and it's nice to have a chance tomorrow.
"I came close a few years, and I've always been in contention around here. It seems to suit my game and I enjoy playing on this course. I'm hitting the ball well, I'm pleased with the way things are going, and I feel pretty comfortable on the greens, so I'm looking forward to Sunday.
Former Wentworth member Fisher, meanwhile, came within a whisker of signing off with an albatross as he closed out a second-consecutive 68 with a birdie-eagle finish that lifted him firmly into contention on nine under.
"I heard the crowd reaction, so I knew it was pretty close," he said of his second to 18. "I walked up and saw my pitchmark, and wasn't sure if it missed right or left but obviously I saw it on the Sky Cart and it just missed right, but just happened to have a nice number in there.
"It was tricky to pick the wind, but it felt like it was slightly helping and then straight off the left and then slightly into. So I just stepped up and hit a great four-iron in there and was pleased to roll it in and sign for 68.
"The course is still playing remarkably well. The greens were definitely a bit firmer and a little bit quicker than they were yesterday afternoon. They got quite soft and quite slow and it was really difficult to get your pace on the greens. I left a heck of a lot of putts short, so it was nice to see them firm up again and be a little bit quicker.
"I'm just pleased to shoot that score today. It's put me in a good position, and what happens tomorrow, we'll just have to wait and see."
