Matteo Manassero stamped his authority with a flawless third round 63 to move three shots clear of Rory McIlroy and Billy Horschel at the BMW PGA Championship.
Six players took the lead in one way or another during a beautiful Saturday that started in heavy rain and ended in sunshine at Wentworth.
However, it was Italy's Manassero who took the tournament by storm after making an eagle and six birdies to reach 18 under – the lowest 54-hole score to par in the event's history – and sits third behind teammates Horschel and McIlroy. 15 less.
The 31-year-old won the event in 2013 before losing his form five years later which led to him leaving the sport for several months before returning to the Alps Tour.
Manassero worked his way up to the Challenge Tour and regained his DP World Tour card in the current campaign, winning his fourth title at this level at the Jonsson Workwear Open in South Africa in March.
It will be the second time in two weeks that Manassero and McIlroy have met in the final set on Sunday, following last week's Irish Open at Royal County Down.
Overnight leader Matthew Baldwin shot a 70 to sit tied for fourth at 14 under, with Antoine Rozner and Thriston Lawrence close behind.
Speaking about his third round 63, Manassero said: “That's one of the best rounds I've ever played. Considering the conditions at the beginning especially. It's raining a lot, and the course is slow playing, but also long. There weren't too many birds out there, but I had a lot of success, and it was a fun round.
Regarding the challenge we are yet to face, he said: “I know what I will face tomorrow, and it is great to be in it, but it will not be an easy task. It's been over 10 years since I last won this event, but I have a better idea about golf and being at the top of the leaderboard. It is by no means a comfortable position, but you just have to try to accept it.”
“THE CAVE FELT AS BIG AS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN”
Horschel, who reeled off seven straight birdies in his third round, and is a former winner at Wentworth in 2021, said: The hole looked the size of the Atlantic Ocean today. I made long putts, and I had some close ones. It was special.
“I always look back on my win in 2021, especially when I first come here. Tonight I will remember a little. But I know it will be a shootout tomorrow. I don't know how bad the weather will be but the leaderboard is tight. No one gets away with it. So you're going to have to go out and play some really good golf to try and lift this trophy again.”
McIlroy, who won the event in 2014, said: “It was great. The lesson I thought was playing was a touch lighter today. We preferred to lie there and when it rained, the field played soft. It's very welcoming. I felt like I played well. I had a bit of a storm the first few holes.
A couple of good times, then played solidly after that. You didn't really make many mistakes. I had a few chances to give up there on the back nine, but I got out there on the day, shooting 6-under par, trying to keep up with Matteo.
He added: “Wentworth is a special place for me, so to give myself another chance here tomorrow, I'm really excited. I won here in 2014, I had a few chances that I let go. I am actually a resident of Wentworth now. Building a house here, too. I love it here. It would be amazing to put my name in the role again.”
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