Thomas Bjorn birdied seven of his closing eight holes to set up a five shot lead heading to the final round of the BMW PGA Championship.
The 43-year old Dane fought back from a first hole double bogey to birdie six holes in succession from the 11th hole along with a birdie at the last in a score of 67 to move to 15-under par in the European Tour’s flagship event at Wentworth.
Bjorn is contesting the event for a 17th occasion and while he finished fifth in 1998 he publically disagreed with changes to the famed Surrey course in 2010 instigated by course re-designer Ernie Els .
Thomas Bjorn storms five shots clear on day three of the 2014 BMW PGA Championship. (Photo – Stuart Adams/www.golftourimages.com)
So much so Bjorn turned his back on the 2011 event before returning in 2012 to finish 37th and then further down the board in 40th place last year.
“I’m starting to warm to this place”, he said smiling.
“But after the double at the first it was just a question of trying to hang in and trying to get the best out of it and just see if you can roll in a few putts here and there.
“That happened, and probably a bit in excess on the back nine.
“But golf is just that strange sometimes. You can turn the wrong golf swing, and today I felt like it turned with the swing. I had a good save and a very good swing and then started to feel really good.
“So to be leading by five shots is nice and it’s a position you want to be in. You work hard and you’re determined to get the best out of your golf.”
Bjorn is looking now to celebrate his 21st season in the pro ranks with a 22nd worldwide success and a fifth triumph since turning 40.
Bjorn is also staring at one of the biggest prize cheques of his career, a $US 1.059m first prize cheque along with a five-year Tour exemption and the likelihood of moving inside the top-20 on the world rankings.
Victory would also cement his place in September’s European Ryder Cup team and a first appearance in 12 years since being a member of the victorious 2002 team.
England’s Luke Donald, a two-time former BMW PGA winner, birdied his closing two holes in a score of 68 to be in second place on 10-under par and one clear of Ireland’s Shane Lowry who shot a 73 to finish on nine under par.
“It was stress‑free round,” said Donald.
“It probably wasn’t that interesting to watch at home but the only time you play this course without making any mistakes, that’s fun.
“I had some chances around the middle of my round. Just didn’t quite get the putts in and didn’t hit my irons really close enough.
“But then to birdie the last two was a big momentum for me and it’s got me in the last group tomorrow, which is where I want to be.”
Double Major winning Rory McIlroy has not given up hope of victory despite a third round 69 for a share of fifth place on eight under par that leaves him seven shots behind Bjorn.
Like Bjorn, McIlroy doubled the first ahead of five birdies from the fourth hole.
“I’ve had big leads and let them slip, and come from behind and won, so there’s a lot of ways to win,” he said.
“There is still 18 holes of golf to go, but I’m going to need something very special, maybe something similar to what Thomas did the first day.”
If McIlroy does not win but still finishes top-10 it will be his ninth top-10 in 11 stroke-play events this year.
