The Open Champion shot a two over par round today.
Shane Lowry remains in with a chance of claiming his 6th European Tour win and his first of 2020.
He lies four shots adrift of England's Tyrell Hatton (-14) on 10 under par in a share of fourth place after a steady day three at Wentworth.
It began well for the Clara man, a series of pars before a good approach led to a birdie on the 4th, taking him into top spot on the leaderboard.
Coming off the 8th, he found himself two shots clear as his playing partner faltered but Lowry will rue a blip on the par four ninth.
He found the trees from the tee and had to chip out, then left his 8 iron short on approach and three putted for a double-bogey six.
To his credit he followed back up with back to back par's before birdieing the 12th for the third time this week.
Acorn v @ShaneLowryGolf
— BMW PGA Championship (@BMWPGA) October 10, 2020
1-0 to the Open Champion 👏🏼#BMWPGA #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/S1RkD2tImg
However it was obvious that the lapse around the turn had affected him. Bogeys on 16 and 18 coming either side of a thirteenth par on 17, dropping him further away from the final pairing and leaving plenty of food for thought overnight.
Events on the final hole in particular will hurt, a poor drive compounded by a fluffed chip in a torrential downpour left him with a ten footer for par which he was unable to hole.
The Clara man wasn't helped by the form of his playing partner Matthew Fitzpatrick who fell away badly, shooting a four over par round as the field closed up on them.
There is cause for optimism as the course has a history of producing come from behind victories on Sunday.
Lowry did play beautifully for eight holes and that is what he and caddy Bo will have to take from a tough day in tough conditions.
Westmeath SHC: Ending Championship Drought On The Cards For Lough Lene Gaels
Midlands LGFA Champions Looking To Book Provincial Semi-Final Spots
Laois SFC: Consistency The Message From Portarlington Manager
Portlaoise Panthers Aiming To Return To Winning Ways
Westmeath SHC: Castletown Geoghegan And Lough Lene Gaels Set For Bank Holiday Clash
Buccaneers Travel To Wexford In AIL This Weekend
Offaly SFC: Ferbane Looking To End Six Year Championship Drought
Laois SFC: A Second Chance Awaits Courtwood
Portlaoise Panthers Looking To Continue 100% Start
Westmeath SFC: Coralstown Kinnegad Looking To End 29 Year Famine
Offaly SFC: Tullamore And Ferbane Set For Trilogy
Milltown Secure Westmeath Ladies Football Championship
Medals Secured For Midlands Boxer At European U15 Championships
Westmeath SFC: A Repeat Of 2022 The Motivation For The Down's
Westmeath Seeks Government Backing For €78m Sports Complex Plans
Offaly SHC: Shinrone Fightback Not Enough In The End
Clara Star Nominated For Player Of The Year Award
"There's Work To Be Done To Sign Players"
CCFL: Scoreless Draw Leaves Clonaslee Bottom Of Senior Division
Laois SHC: Champions Stand Up To Be Counted When It Matters Most