Casey leads as roaring McIlroy makes his move

23 May 2009 - 19:43:26

England' s Paul Casey will begin Sunday's final round at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth with a three-shot lead, after a five-under-par 67 moved him to 12 under for the tournament.

Casey was on immaculate form on the West Course, and but for missed birdie opportunities at 17 and 18 he could have ended the day five clear.

"I am hitting the ball where I want to," Casey said. "It's nice that all the hard work I have put in with my coach this year is starting to pay off."

Victory for Casey would see the 31-year-old rise to third in the world rankings, behind only Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, and represent his third win of the year after successes at the Abu Dhabi Championship and the Houston Open.

But Dane Soren Hansen will have other ideas, after a 25-foot putt for birdie at the last took him to nine under and just three off the pace.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy is also in the hunt, courtesy of a seven-under-par round of 65 that saw the 20-year-old back home in 32.

"I tried to put the ball on the fairways and not be too aggressive off the tee," said McIlroy. "I do like to get the ball as close to the green as possible off the tee, but there are times when you just can't do it."

England's Ross Fisher shot a 67 to finish the third round at eight under, while Anthony Wall's challenge faltered slightly with a par round of 72 that saw him finish seven shots off the pace at six under.

Europe's 2010 Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie is one shot further back at five under, with defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain joined by former Open winner Ben Curtis at four under.

BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERBOARD

- Golf.co.uk staff