The BMW PGA Championship 2026 has reached its final round at Wentworth Club, with Filippo Celli and Manuel Elvira tied at 13 under par and Rory McIlroy two shots behind.
The closing day began with an unusually crowded leaderboard. Twenty players were within four shots of the lead after 54 holes, leaving the championship wide open heading into Sunday.
Celli and Elvira held the top position after both finished strongly on Saturday. Alejandro Del Rey, J.J. Spaun and Johannes Veerman sat one shot behind at 12 under.
McIlroy entered the final round at 11 under after producing one of the biggest moments of the tournament. He finished his third round with a birdie and eagle on the final two holes.
The result has placed the four-time major champion within immediate reach of another Wentworth title.
Final-Round Leaderboard at Wentworth
The leaderboard entering the final round showed just how little separated the leading players.
| Position | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| T1 | Filippo Celli | 13 under |
| T1 | Manuel Elvira | 13 under |
| T3 | Alejandro Del Rey | 12 under |
| T3 | J.J. Spaun | 12 under |
| T3 | Johannes Veerman | 12 under |
| T6 | Adam Scott | 11 under |
| T6 | Davis Bryant | 11 under |
| T6 | Joaquin Niemann | 11 under |
| T6 | Kristoffer Reitan | 11 under |
| T6 | Rory McIlroy | 11 under |
Celli and Elvira were scheduled to play in the final group, while Del Rey and Veerman formed the group immediately ahead of them.
McIlroy was paired with Adam Scott. Their final-round tee time was scheduled for 7:25 a.m. ET.
The tight scoring means a strong start could quickly alter the order. At the same time, difficult conditions can make protecting a score just as important as chasing one.
Rory McIlroy Creates Momentum at the Finish
McIlroy’s third round looked very different from its closing stretch.
He carded a 3-under 69 and reached 11 under for the tournament. His score kept him only two strokes from the lead.
The biggest change came over the final two holes.
McIlroy birdied the 17th before reaching the par-5 18th with a chance to gain another stroke. He then struck a 4-iron from about 230 yards and sent the ball inside two feet.
The resulting eagle lifted him into the group at 11 under.
That finish turned a difficult round into a serious title challenge.
McIlroy has already won at Wentworth once. His previous victory came in 2014, when he captured the title during a memorable season that also included major championship success.
A second win would give the Northern Irishman another major victory at one of the DP World Tour’s most prominent events.
Celli Holds the Lead After a Difficult Saturday
Filippo Celli reached the top of the leaderboard after a demanding third round.
The Italian shot 69 to move to 13 under. His round became particularly important on the back nine, where he made four birdies.
Celli also faced a dramatic moment on the 18th.
His approach struck a wooden structure beside the water and avoided going into the stream. The ball eventually finished in a greenside bunker.
Instead of losing ground, Celli recovered and made birdie.
That allowed him to reach 13 under and share the lead with Elvira.
Celli is now positioned to compete for one of the biggest titles of his career. He will start the final round alongside Elvira with only a one-shot advantage over three players.
Manuel Elvira Joins Celli at 13 Under
Elvira also finished Saturday with a birdie on the 18th.
His 4-under 68 brought him to 13 under and created the tie at the top.
The Spaniard has remained one of the central figures in the tournament after three rounds. His position is particularly notable because the championship field contains several highly accomplished players.
Elvira will have the final-round advantage of knowing exactly where he stands against the other contenders.
However, the narrow margin means there is little room for mistakes.
A single bogey could immediately erase his lead, while an early birdie could give him breathing room over the chasing group.
Three Players Sit One Shot Behind
Del Rey, Spaun and Veerman all reached 12 under.
Their position creates an immediate challenge for the co-leaders because all three begin the final round only one stroke away.
Del Rey produced an outstanding 64 on Saturday. Veerman matched that score with another 64.
Spaun shot 68 and remained firmly in contention.
Del Rey and Veerman were among the biggest movers during the third round. Their low scores pushed them from the middle of the leaderboard into direct title contention.
Spaun brings a different profile to the final group of contenders. The American is a major champion after winning the U.S. Open in 2025.
All three therefore begin Sunday with a realistic opportunity to take control of the championship.
Adam Scott Remains Close to the Lead
Adam Scott enters the final round at 11 under.
The Australian veteran shot 71 during the third round and remained only two shots behind.
His position becomes even more interesting because he will play alongside McIlroy.
The pair have extensive experience in major championship environments and will begin their final rounds knowing that the leaders are only two strokes ahead.
Scott has also been one of the most recognizable international players in the field.
A strong final round would give him an opportunity to move into the title battle during the closing stages.
Joaquin Niemann and Davis Bryant Stay in the Mix
Joaquin Niemann also sits at 11 under.
The Chilean carded a 67 during the third round, gaining four strokes on the course and moving into the group tied for sixth.
Davis Bryant reached the same score after a 67.
Kristoffer Reitan completed the group at 11 under after producing one of the day’s best rounds, a 64.
The four players at 11 under are only two strokes from the lead. That makes the opening holes particularly important.
A fast start could bring them level with the leaders before the final groups reach the back nine.
A Remarkably Tight Championship
The defining feature of the tournament has been the density of the leaderboard.
Fifteen players were within three shots of the lead after the third round. Twenty were within four.
That margin leaves very little separation between the established stars and players trying to claim a major breakthrough.
The final round therefore has several layers.
Celli and Elvira are protecting a one-shot lead. Del Rey, Spaun and Veerman are immediately behind them. McIlroy and several other experienced players are two strokes back.
That creates a situation where the lead can change repeatedly during the day.
One strong run of holes could move a player several positions.
Ryan Gerard Falls Back After Leading at the Halfway Stage
Ryan Gerard entered the third round as the 36-hole leader.
His position changed significantly on Saturday.
Gerard posted a 3-over 75 and dropped to 9 under for the tournament.
That result demonstrates how quickly the standings can change at Wentworth.
After two rounds, Gerard had established himself as the player everyone was chasing. One day later, he was outside the immediate title battle.
His fall also helped create room for Celli, Elvira, Del Rey, Veerman and Spaun to move into the leading group.
The development is an important reminder of the challenge presented by the West Course, especially when wind and difficult conditions affect scoring.
Conditions Have Played a Major Role
The weather has contributed to the compressed leaderboard.
Players faced challenging conditions during Saturday’s third round, and scoring became more difficult for several competitors.
McIlroy noted that the difficult conditions had helped keep the field together.
Instead of one player building a large advantage, the leading group remained tightly packed.
That dynamic should continue to influence the final round.
Players chasing the lead need to balance aggression with control. Going too far after birdies can create mistakes, while conservative play may allow the leaders to maintain their position.
The West Course Provides the Final Test
Wentworth’s West Course remains the setting for the championship’s closing day.
The Virginia Water venue has hosted the event for decades and is closely associated with the tournament.
The layout provides several opportunities for scoring but also includes holes where mistakes can quickly become expensive.
The closing stretch has already played an important role in the 2026 championship.
Celli made a birdie on 18 to reach the co-lead, while Elvira also birdied the hole.
McIlroy went even further by making eagle.
The final hole could once again become decisive when the leading groups arrive there on Sunday.
McIlroy Has Another Chance at Wentworth
McIlroy’s position gives the final round a familiar storyline.
He won the championship at Wentworth in 2014. Twelve years later, he begins another final round within striking distance.
His 2026 campaign has already included major achievements, and another victory would add an important title to his season.
However, he still has several players between himself and the lead.
A two-shot deficit is manageable over 18 holes, particularly on a leaderboard this crowded. Yet McIlroy must also contend with the players starting at 13 and 12 under.
His pairing with Scott gives American viewers an additional reason to follow the early part of the final round.
Race to Dubai Adds Another Layer
The tournament also carries importance for the season-long Race to Dubai standings.
Patrick Reed entered the week as the leader but withdrew after suffering an injury during the second round.
McIlroy therefore has an opportunity to make significant progress in the standings with a strong finish.
A victory would provide a substantial boost, while a high finish would also affect the points battle.
The season standings add context to Sunday’s competition without changing the immediate objective at Wentworth.
The players at the top of the leaderboard remain focused on winning the tournament.
Prize Money and Tournament Importance
The event features a $9 million purse.
It is also one of the DP World Tour’s premier tournaments and carries significant ranking points.
The 2026 edition is being played from September 17 through September 20 at Wentworth Club.
The event has attracted a world-class field, including major champions and leading international players.
Defending champion Alex Noren is also competing after his victory at Wentworth in the previous edition.
Noren’s title defense adds another storyline to a tournament already featuring several major contenders.
U.S. Golf Fans Can Follow the Final Round
The final round is being broadcast for U.S. viewers through Golf Channel, with coverage scheduled during the morning Eastern Time.
The tournament is taking place in England, so the U.S. broadcast schedule falls earlier in the day than many domestic golf events.
For viewers following McIlroy, Scott, Spaun and the other leading players, the final groups provide the most important part of the coverage.
The final group featuring Celli and Elvira is scheduled to tee off at 8:05 a.m. ET.
The McIlroy-Scott pairing is scheduled to start 40 minutes earlier.
Those times give U.S. viewers an opportunity to follow the leaders and the main chasing group during the final stretch of the tournament.
What to Watch in the Final Round
Several players have clear opportunities to shape the championship.
The first question is whether Celli and Elvira can maintain their one-shot advantage.
The second is whether Del Rey, Spaun or Veerman can produce another low round.
McIlroy’s start will also attract significant attention. He needs to close a two-shot gap, and his recent finish shows that he can generate momentum quickly.
Scott, Niemann, Bryant and Reitan are also close enough to make a move.
The leaderboard may remain unsettled until the final holes.
The Latest Situation at Wentworth
As the final round begins, Celli and Elvira share first place at 13 under par.
Del Rey, Spaun and Veerman are one stroke behind.
McIlroy, Scott, Bryant, Niemann and Reitan are two shots back.
The championship remains undecided.
The final result will determine the winner, the prize-money distribution and the impact on the season standings.
For now, the defining story is the remarkably small gap separating the leading group.
McIlroy has positioned himself for another challenge at a venue where he has already lifted the trophy. Celli and Elvira are seeking to convert their strong three-round performances into a major victory. Del Rey, Spaun and Veerman have the chance to overtake them immediately.
With the final groups heading toward the decisive holes, every stroke matters.
Follow the final holes at Wentworth and share your thoughts on who will emerge from this tightly packed leaderboard.