Portugal Colonial - McIlroy two shots off the lead at Wentworth after eagle on 18

The back-to-back US Masters champion, one of just six golfers to have won all four of the sport's men's major titles, posted a three-under par 69 on Saturday to leave him joint-sixth, and one of five players on 11-under.

McIlroy was one-over for the day after 11 holes but the 37-year-old Northern Irishman showed his class with birdies on the 12th and 17th before a superb four-iron approach shot from 230 yards left him with a tap-in for eagle on the last at Wentworth.

"I think it was a day when you really had to take advantage of the par-fives, they were your scoring opportunities," McIlroy told DP World (European) Tour media.

He added: "The 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."

Spain's Manuel Elvira and Italy's Filippo Celli lead heading into the final day, both on 13-under, while three others –- Alejandro del Rey, JJ Spaun and Johannes Veerman –- are 12-under, leaving the fate of the tournament wide open on Sunday.

McIlroy is trying to reel in Patrick Reed to win a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title -- the competition which crowns the best player on the European Tour -- and is also bidding for the second PGA Championship title of his career on a course he knows well.

"Look, I've got a big opportunity tomorrow (Sunday) on both fronts," McIlroy said. "I'd love to win this tournament again. It's been 12 years and I have so many great memories of Wentworth in general.

"I came here for the first time I think as a 10-year-old to watch the World Matchplay all the way back in the day... Fast-forward, I've won this event, I've played a lot here, we now have a house on the estate as well.

"This 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."

A.Aguiar--PC