Alex Noren and Adrien Saddier Share Lead at BMW PGA Championship
Alex Noren and Adrien Saddier are co-leaders at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club after the third round. Tyrrell Hatton surged up the leaderboard to sit in solo third place, setting up a compelling final round. The tournament has seen dramatic shifts, with previous leaders faltering and allowing chasers to gain ground.
Hatton's Impressive Round
Tyrrell Hatton, who qualified for the Ryder Cup team despite playing on the LIV Golf circuit, carded a bogey-free 8-under 64 to climb into contention. Hatton started the day seven shots back but ignited his round with a birdie at the sixth and four consecutive birdies from the ninth. He finished strongly with birdies on 16, 17, and 18.
"It was a good day's work," he said. "The last 10 holes were great. I gave myself plenty of opportunities, and it's always nice to see putts going in."
Hatton's performance served as a strong warm-up for the upcoming Ryder Cup. He mentioned that the victory in 2020 was affected by Covid restrictions, and that the support he received this week was amazing. Following the tournament, Hatton plans to head to New York for a scouting mission.
The Leaders and Other Contenders
Saddier and Noren reached 15 under par with rounds of 65 and 66, respectively. Noren capped his round with an eagle on the 18th. Meanwhile, Viktor Hovland remained in contention at 12 under, three shots behind the leaders. He acknowledged the course history and his eagerness to add his name to the trophy. Former leaders like Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Rose, and Ludvig Åberg struggled in the third round. Åberg sits at 10 under, along with Patrick Reed and Harry Hall.
Ryder Cup Implications
Luke Donald, the Ryder Cup captain, can be pleased that several members of his team, including Hatton and Hovland, are in contention. This tournament serves as a final tune-up before they head to Bethpage Black. However, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm are eight and ten shots adrift, respectively, after the third round. McIlroy spoke about peaking at the Ryder Cup, highlighting the numerous birdies he scored during the week.
BMW PGA Championship Leaderboard
| Player | Score |
|---|---|
| Alex Noren | -15 |
| Adrien Saddier | -15 |
| Tyrrell Hatton | -13 |
| Viktor Hovland | -12 |
| Ludvig Åberg | -10 |
| Patrick Reed | -10 |
| Harry Hall | -10 |
