( CNN ) -- With Rory McIlroy , the world 's second-ranked golfer , and defending champion Luke Donald not surviving the cut at the PGA Championship , the door was opened for others at the European Tour 's flagship event . Spain 's Alejandro Canizares took advantage , leading at Wentworth in England heading into the final day after registering a four-under 68 to move to nine-under 207 overall . Canizares , whose lone European Tour title came in Russia seven years ago , was forced to skip this month 's China Open after being diagnosed with viral meningitis . `` I 'm not at full strength but it 's working for me , so I 'm not going to complain , '' said Canizares , the son of Ryder Cup veteran Jose Maria Canizares . Matteo Manassero of Italy , at 20 bidding to become the youngest winner of the event , and Scotland 's Marc Warren sit tied for third at seven-under , a shot better than Ireland 's Shane Lowry . But it 's the player in second , England 's Lee Westwood , who might fancy his chances Sunday . Westwood , twice a runner-up at Wentworth , a Ryder Cup stalwart and the only member of the top five inside the top 50 in the world rankings , is a single shot behind Canizares . Westwood , who recorded a 67 in the third round , said it would be `` ironic '' if he won the title months after moving his family from England to Florida . Although not matching the weather in Florida , Saturday 's conditions were significantly better than chilly Thursday and Friday . `` It would be great and I am after as many wins as I can get , but it 's a crowded leaderboard and I will have to play as well , if not better than I did today , '' Westwood said . `` I felt much more in tune with my swing and had a lot better distance and direction control with my irons and set up a lot of chances . `` It was one of the most fun days I have ever had on a golf course . It was good to see a lot more smiling faces and a lot more people prepared to take their hands out of their pockets and applaud . `` I also get great support here but even more so today . '' Another golfer that praised the spectators was Spain 's Sergio Garcia . Garcia came under fire this week and issued an apology for his `` fried chicken '' jibe . He considered pulling out of the tournament . But Garcia played , made the cut and remains in contention , tied for sixth at five-under . `` The crowds here , I do n't have words to explain what I feel towards them , '' Garcia , last a winner on the European Tour in 2011 , said . `` They have been amazing , every single tee , every single green , cheering me on , and I can never pay them back . '' Also tied for sixth is the halfway leader , Italian Francesco Molinari , who slumped to a 73 in the third round . Popular Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez , the oldest man in the event at 49 , registered a 67 to rise to a tie for 14th at four-under . British Open champion Ernie Els , undone by bogeys on the first and third holes , could only manage a par 72 and fell six shots behind the leader .
Alejandro Canizares leads the PGA Championship heading into Saturday . Canizares cards a four -under 68 the final day to lead Lee Westwood by one shot . the European Tour 's trails Canizares by two shots at the European Tour 's flagship event . Lee Westwood , who considered skipping PGA Championship , remains in contention .