-12 S Kjeldsen (Den), V Hovland (Nor); -11 T Detry (Bel), R Cabrera (Espa), R McIlroy (NI); -ten F Molinari (Ita), M Jordan (Eng), S Lowry (Ire) |
Selected: -9 M Armitage (Eng), J Morrison (Eng); -seven Law D (Sco); -5 L Westwood (Eng) |
Full ranking |
Cover: Highlights on BBC Four from 8.00pm BST on Saturday, BBC Two from 11.45pm and on BBC iPlayer |
Rory McIlory went into contention for the BMW PGA Championship with a seven under 65 after players, caddies and officials paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II when the tournament resumed.
A two-minute silence was observed on the west course at Wentworth at 09:50 BST.
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s oldest monarch, died on Thursday.
McIlroy is one stroke behind leaders Soren Kjeldsen and Viktor Hovland after his fine round took him to 11 under.
The Northern Irishman had a bogey-free day which included five birdies and an eagle on the fourth.
McIlroy had a stroke of luck when he shot his drive on the 17th into the trees and out of bounds, only to have his ball emerge seconds later over the edge of the fairway.
He then birdied and is alongside Spaniard Rafael Cabrera and Belgian Thomas Detry, who both also delivered 65 cards.
England’s Matthew Jordan – who made eagles fourth and 18th en route to a 69 – is a shot behind with Italy’s Francesco Molinari and Ireland’s Shane Lowry.
Dane Kjeldsen scored an eight under 64 to move to 12 under while Norway’s Hovland signed for a 68.
Play was suspended on Thursday night following the Queen’s death but resumed on Saturday with the tournament reduced to 54 holes, with the final round on Sunday.
McIlroy paid tribute to the Queen’s ‘dignity, devotion and grace personified’, adding: ‘Growing up in Northern Ireland the Royal Family was part of our culture and you took it for granted that the Queen was the Queen .
“You don’t realize there will be kings and queens after this. She was such a stable figure for the whole country.
“I was very lucky, I got to meet her a few years ago and she couldn’t have been nicer. I have the picture of that in my house next to my MBE, which I am also very proud.
“I thought it was the right decision for us to continue. I don’t think we are disrespecting anyone by playing and celebrating the Queen’s life.”