Rory McIlroy retains lead at PGA

A weather softened Valhalla proved a conducive ally to the ambition of a marauding bunch of golfers, twelve of whom are within five strokes of each other. The PGA Championship is set for an exciting climax with Rory McIlroy (13 under 200) still in the lead, but only just. The Northern Irishman is leading by one, the fifth time in his blossoming career, that he shall carry a 54 hole lead at a major championship.

Bernd Wiesberger, playing nerveless s golf, produced a 65 to lie second at 12 under. Rickie Fowler is lurking dangerously close, two behind McIlroy. Phil Mickelson is looking to turn the clock back a tad, producing a 67 to join Jason Day in T4 at 10 under.

There is a sense of déjà vu at the Valhalla Golf Club, because another famous golfer was in a position similar to McIlroy at the turn of the millennium. Tiger Woods, nursing his back after missing the cut this year, walked out on Sunday at 13-under on his way to a spectacular victory in 2000.

Mickelson seemed to be losing ground when he made a couple of bogeys in succession, but repaired his round with a hat-trick of birdies starting at the 14^th before for finishing with another at the final hole to stay right in contention for the title.

Fowler has a great opportunity of emulating Woods and Jack Nicklaus, by becoming only the third player to finish inside the top five of all four major tournaments in a single season. McIlroy though is showing no signs of letting up, playing well for a third straight day, he made six birdies to post a 67 and stay in front for the final round.

The best of the day came from the bag of Wiesberger. The relatively anonymous Austrian has been in brilliant form this week. A blemishless performance – two birdies on the front and four on the way back to the clubhouse saw him sign a 65 to remain firmly perched in second, right behind McIlroy.

With some wet weather forecast for Sunday, we are set for an intriguing finale to the final round of the last major of this season.

Report by Anand Datla

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Pic: PGA Tour Website