Rory McIlroy closed to within two shots of the lead as he reached the turn of his third round, with Justin Rose charging into contention at the US PGA Championship.
McIlroy's recovery
McIlroy, bidding for back-to-back major wins following his Masters triumph last month, needed to climb the leaderboard on 'moving day'. He started the day tied for 30th after a second-round 67 helped him fight back from a four-over opening round of 74. Beginning the day one over par, just five shots behind co-leaders Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy, he teed off alongside five-time major winner Brooks Koepka in glorious conditions at Aronimink Golf Club.
McIlroy reached the turn at three under for his round, while Rose was also two back with three to play. American Chris Kirk was a shot off the lead as he neared the end of his round after racking up seven birdies.
Course conditions improve
Only two players had shot lower than three under across the first two days, but the course appeared more accessible as Saturday got under way. The wind that had added to the challenge on the greens over the first two days gave way to warm, calm conditions as early starters racked up birdies.
McIlroy was well supported by spectators in south-west Philadelphia, and with 11 major championships between him and Koepka, they drew an enormous following. The Northern Irishman started his pursuit of a low score in ideal fashion, with a superb approach on the first yielding an opening birdie. He missed a great birdie chance on the second before a three-putt bogey at the fourth checked his progress. McIlroy hit back with a birdie at the fifth and added another at the sixth thanks to a booming drive onto the green of the 390-yard hole, moving to one under. He made his fourth birdie at the par-five ninth to turn in 32.
Rose's resurgence
Rose only made the cut courtesy of a stunning chip-in eagle at the last on Friday and made the most of his reprieve. The 45-year-old, who admitted yielding the midway lead at the Masters last month was a 'tough loss' to overcome, racked up five birdies to shoot 30 on the front nine. The Englishman, who won the AT&T National at this course in 2010, moved within a shot of the lead with another birdie at 13 before a first bogey of the round at 14 halted his momentum.
Looking ahead
With low scores clearly on offer, McIlroy, Rose and other morning starters will hope the leaders remain within reach heading into Sunday's final round. World number one Scottie Scheffler was two back from the overnight lead and starts his round at 1.40pm local time (6.40pm BST). The early charge came from American Michael Kim, who birdied six of the first seven holes to close within two of the lead, but his extraordinary round turned into a roller coaster on the back nine with three bogeys, a double bogey, an eagle, and a birdie as he carded 67.
