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Here’s what you missed from Round 3 at the Memorial Tournament

June 1, 2019

Three rounds are in the books at Muirfield Village, and while we don’t know who will win this year’s edition of the Memorial Tournament, there’s an excellent chance someone is going to snap a long victory drought. None of the top contenders have won a title in the last two years (or longer). Here’s how it all went down on Saturday, and why Sunday should be a lot of fun.

Two Former No. 1s in Final Pairing

Martin Kaymer continues to play like it’s the 2014 U.S. Open all over again. The former top-ranked player in the world shot a six-under 66 to grab a two-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final round. He hasn’t won in five years.

Joining Kaymer in the final group? Adam Scott, another former No. 1, who fired a 66 of his own. (He hasn’t won anywhere in more than three years.)

Spieth: Lurking

And then there’s Jordan Spieth, whose drought isn’t as long as the leaders. (Last title: The 2017 British Open) Spieth has been slowly pulling himself out of his recent slump in recent weeks, and he’s set up for a breakthrough win on Sunday. After stumbling through the front nine, Spieth made four birdies on the back to finish off a 69. He’s at 11 under, four shots behind Kaymer.

Here Comes Hideki

Hideki Matsuyama is no stranger to success at Muirfield Village — he won the event in 2014 — and he made a charge on Saturday to put himself in position for another greenside handshake with Jack Nicklaus. Matsuyama made eight birdies, no bogeys and capped a round of 64 with a chip-in on the tough 18th hole.

Matsuyama is winless since the 2017 Bridgestone Invitational, which was part of a three-win season, but he has a chance to write his own comeback story on Sunday.

No Roars from Tiger

Tiger Woods will not win his sixth career Memorial title this year. He started well on Saturday morning, ringing up four birdies on the front nine to turn in 32 and vault into the top 10. But on the par-4 10th hole, it all came crashing down. Woods drove into a deep bunker left of the fairway, and his escape shot slammed into the lip and settled back at his feet. Woods made a double, then made another bogey a few holes later. He eventually signed for a two-under 70 that for a while looked like it might be so much better.

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