Rory McIlroy moved to within one stroke of Scottie Scheffler atop the Wells Fargo Championship leaderboard with a blistering 67 in the second round Friday.
– Rory McIlroy One Stroke Behind Xander Schauffele After Round Three at Wells Fargo Championship
Rory McIlroy birdied three of the last five holes to card a third-round 67 and move within one stroke of leader Xander Schauffele at the Wells Fargo Championship on Saturday.
Schauffele, seeking his first PGA Tour win since the 2019 Tournament of Champions, shot a 68 to reach 13-under 203 through 54 holes at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm. McIlroy is 12 under, while Max Homa is two strokes back in third after a 66.
“I played really well today,” said McIlroy, who won the tournament in 2010. “I hit a lot of good shots and gave myself a lot of chances. I made a few putts early, which was nice, and then I kind of kept it going. I’m really happy with where my game is at.”
Schauffele birdied the first two holes and added three more on the back nine to offset a bogey on the 12th. McIlroy, who won the RBC Canadian Open last week, had three birdies on the front nine and added three more on the back to stay in contention.
“I’m in a good position going into tomorrow,” said Schauffele, who is ranked No. 5 in the world. ”I’m hitting the ball well and making some putts. I just need to keep doing what I’m doing and see what happens.”
– McIlroy’s 67 Keeps Him in Contention on Moving Day
McIlroy, the four-time major champion, carded a bogey-free 67 to reach 10 under par after 54 holes at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm. That left the 33-year-old a shot behind American Xander Schauffele, with whom he has been paired for the first three rounds.
McIlroy’s round on Saturday was highlighted by six birdies, including three in a row from the 13th hole. He also had a couple of good saves, including a 10-footer for par on the 18th hole.
“I’m really happy with the way I played today,” McIlroy said. “I hit the ball well, drove it well, and putted well. I gave myself a lot of chances and I took advantage of them.”
McIlroy is now in contention for his 21st PGA Tour title and his first since the CJ Cup in October. He will be paired with Schauffele and Max Homa in the final round on Sunday.
“I’m excited about tomorrow,” McIlroy said. “I’m playing well and I’m in a good position. I just need to go out there and play my game and see what happens.”
Key Stats:
- Rory McIlroy: 67 (-4), 10 under par
- Xander Schauffele: 68 (-3), 11 under par
- Max Homa: 69 (-2), 9 under par
– Schauffele’s Steady Play Leads to Three-Shot Advantage
Schauffele’s Steady Play Leads to Three-Shot Advantage
Xander Schauffele’s consistent performance on day one of the Wells Fargo Championship put him in a commanding position, earning him a three-shot lead over world number one Rory McIlroy. Schauffele’s round of 64 (-7) featured six birdies and one bogey, showcasing his accuracy and composure on the course.
Accuracy Off the Tee
Schauffele’s ability to find the fairway consistently gave him an advantage throughout the round. He hit 11 of 14 fairways, allowing him to control his approaches and set up birdie opportunities. In contrast, McIlroy found only 7 fairways, making it more challenging to attack the pins.
Clinical Putting
Schauffele’s steady putting was crucial in his success on day one. He converted five birdies from outside 10 feet, including a clutch putt on the 18th hole to earn a three-stroke lead. His ability to hole putts under pressure, while several others struggled, proved to be a significant factor.
Well-Managed Errors
Despite his impressive round, Schauffele made one costly error on the 16th hole. A poor approach shot led to a bogey, but he quickly recovered with a birdie on the 17th. This resilience and ability to minimize the impact of errors showcased his mental toughness on the course.
Overall Advantage
Schauffele’s three-shot lead heading into day two provides him with a comfortable cushion. However, the field remains competitive, with McIlroy and other top players within striking distance. Schauffele’s steady play and ability to minimize errors will be key in maintaining his lead as the tournament progresses.
– Final-Round Showdown Set for Sunday at Wells Fargo
Schauffele Holds Slim Lead Ahead of Thrilling Final Round
Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy are poised for a captivating showdown on Sunday at Wells Fargo, after Schauffele maintained his one-shot advantage heading into the final 18 holes.
Schauffele, who fired a bogey-free 66 on Saturday, will take a one-stroke lead into the championship round over McIlroy. The former world number one McIlroy, who carded a sensational 67 on Saturday, kept himself firmly in contention.
“I’m playing well, but there’s a lot of golf left,” Schauffele said after his round. ”Rory’s obviously playing well too, so it should be fun.”
McIlroy, who has been seeking a return to form, agreed that the final round promises to be a thriller. “I’m hitting the ball really well, and I’m putting really well,” he said. “I just need to go out there and keep doing what I’m doing.”
With the course proving relatively soft and receptive, birdies are expected to flow on Sunday. McIlroy and Schauffele will be expected to go shot-for-shot in an unforgettable final round.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Xander Schauffele vs. Rory McIlroy: The two top-ranked players in the field will face off in a battle for the title.
- Collin Morikawa vs. Jon Rahm: The young guns will look to make a statement against the two former world number ones.
- Patrick Reed vs. Bryson DeChambeau: Two of the most polarizing players in golf will face off in a much-anticipated pairing.
Leaderboard
| Player | Score |
|---|---|
| Xander Schauffele | -9 |
| Rory McIlroy | -8 |
| Collin Morikawa | -7 |
| Jon Rahm | -5 |
| Patrick Reed | -4 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | -4 |
