Rory McIlroy came agonisingly close to an historic albatross in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
Only one albatross has ever been recorded in official competition on the 18th hole of Wentworthâs West Course.
That honour belongs to Ross Fisher, who achieved the feat in 2019.
Albatrosses have happened on the courseâs first, fourth and 12th holes, but Fisherâs remains the only one on the 18th.
McIlroy was inches away from emulating Fisher during the third round of this weekendâs championship in Surrey.
Having put himself in range of the green with his tee shot at the par-five 18th, the 37-year-oldâs fantastic approach shot stopped just short of the hole.
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McIlroy ended up having to settle for an eagle, finishing Saturday two shots off joint leaders Filippo Celli and Manuel Elvira at 11 under.
McIlroy wants to win at Wentworth again
Speaking to DP World Tour media following his 69-shot round, McIlroy said: âI think it was a day when you really had to take advantage of the par-fives â they were your scoring opportunities.
âThe wind was up and down a little bit, so it was hard to trust that the wind was going to do what you thought it was going to do, but I stayed as patient as I could, and then I feel like that patience was rewarded over those last few holes.â
And McIlroy, who warmed for the BMW PGA Championship up by setting an unofficial course record on Wednesday, will be looking to triumph in this tournament for the second time, having claimed his first title back in 2014.
âIâve got a big opportunity tomorrow [Sunday] on both fronts,â he continued.
âIâd love to win this tournament again. Itâs been 12 years and I have so many great memories of Wentworth in general.
âI came here for the first time I think as a 10-year-old to watch the World Matchplay all the way back in the dayâ¦
âFast-forward, Iâve won this event; Iâve played a lot here; we now have a house on the estate as well.
âThis place has got a lot of history for me, so hopefully I have a good day tomorrow and give myself a real chance at it again.â
An historic year
Regardless of what happens in the final round at Wentworth, itâs been a phenomenal 2026 for McIlroy.
In April, he became just the fourth player ever to successfully defend their Masters title, following in the footsteps of Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.
McIlroyâs first Masters success last year saw him become only the sixth player to complete the prestigious career grand slam.
He is also chasing a record equalling eighth Race to Dubai crown and could leapfrog current leader Patrick Reed.
Reed withdrew at Wentworth due to injury, meaning a second place finish for McIlroy will see him take the lead.