Robert MacIntyre strengthened his grip on the BMW Championship as Moving Day wrapped at Caves Valley, maintaining a comfortable cushion over world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler heading into Sunday. The 29-year-old Scot kept his nearly flawless pace throughout a round that showed the course finally beginning to bite again after two rain-free days, while Scheffler could only shave a single shot off the deficit.
Scheffler’s only real stumble came when his approach from the fairway settled in the bunker short of the 12th green, producing his lone bogey of the day. Aside from that miscue, he rattled off four birdies and kept inching closer to MacIntyre, who must now hold firm for one more round if he’s to secure the win on Sunday.
MacIntyre, who bogeyed the first hole, answered with clean scrambling for pars and slowly built a steady rhythm. His best moment came early on the back nine when he escaped trouble from the trees on the 5th, setting the tone for a round in which he avoided the kinds of self-inflicted mistakes that have hounded lesser players in a final pairing against Scheffler.
The back nine showcased MacIntyre’s competitive fire. He delivered two clutch putts that drew roars from the crowd and reminded everyone why he’s contending with the game’s best. On the 14th, after Scheffler pushed a birdie into a packed grandstand moment, MacIntyre splashed home a six-foot par saver to keep his edge intact. Then on the 18th, with Scheffler within reach, MacIntyre unleashed another significant putt to push the lead back to four. Scheffler couldn’t answer, leaving MacIntyre with a reassuring margin as they headed to the final round.
Through 54 holes, MacIntyre’s 194 strokes mark a career-low total and stand as the best three-round total of his PGA Tour career, surpassing his 2024 Scottish Open performance by one stroke. Sunday will be a test of nerves as he tries to convert this performance into his first BMW Championship title, while Scheffler looks to rally from four back and spoil what could be a wire-to-wire finish for the young Scot.
What to watch on Sunday: whether MacIntyre can sustain his precision under pressure and whether Scheffler can summon the late-round magic that has fueled so many of his comeback wins. The energy from the crowd and the improved firmness of the Caves Valley greens could create a dramatic finale as the season’s stretch run continues.
Summary: MacIntyre enters the final round with a four-shot cushion over Scheffler at the BMW Championship, having delivered a career-best three-round total and a series of clutch putts that underscored his readiness for Sunday. A potential breakthrough win awaits, with Scheffler aiming to mount a late surge. The stage is set for an absorbing conclusion at Caves Valley.