Martin Kaymer of Germany has not won in the United States since claiming the 2014 U.S. Open by eight strokes, his second major victory, but he’s playing like that guy again.
The 34-year-old Kaymer carded a bogey-free, 6-under-pat 66 to take a two-stroke lead over Adam Scott of Australia heading to the final round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club http://www.mvgc.org in Dublin, Ohio.
“Once you lead a golf tournament, it’s so much about how much can you handle yourself,” said Kaymer, who also won the 2010 PGA Championship among his 23 pro victories. “And obviously if somebody takes a run at you, it is what it is. But the game plan doesn’t really change. For me it’s pure enjoyment the way I play right now. I don’t have many weaknesses that I see at the moment.
“But under the circumstances, it can change. Obviously handling certain nerves and pressure and stuff like that, who knows how you will react. And that is the beauty of golf; that you can’t really prepare yourself for those special situations. I just really (need to) embrace the challenge tomorrow, try to keep working on the progress.”
Kaymer, who has missed only one putt inside 15 feet this week, reeled off four birdies in a span of six holes on the back nine, recorded a 54-hole score of 15-under 201.
Scott, who has won 29 times but not since the 2016 WGC-Cadillac Championship, also shot 66, while Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, the 2014 Memorial champion, posted a 64 and is four shots back in a tie for third with Patrick Cantlay of Los Alamitos and UCLA, who had a 68, and Jordan Spieth, who finished at 69.
“I’m just going to play as good as I can tomorrow,” said Scott, the 2013 Masters champion. “I like where it’s all at. I feel like the last few times I’ve been in with a chance, going back to the PGA Championship last year, I felt comfortable. So I’m not worried.
“I feel like this is the spot I’m meant to be. And since then, I’ve seen lots of good golf, and I feel like my game is at a level that, if I put it all together properly and control myself out there, I can win.”
Marc Leishman of Australia totaled 69 and is six down in a tie for sixth with Bud Cauley, who had a 70, and 36-hole co-leader Kyoung-Hoon Lee of South Korea, who wound up at 72, while Emiliano Grillo of Argentina is one more behind in solo ninth after a 71.
Third-ranked Justin Rose of England posted a 70 and is eight strokes back in a tie for 10th with 10-th-ranked Rickie Fowler (72) of Murrieta, Kevin Streelman (69), 2017 Memorial winner Jason Dufner (68) and 54-round co-leader Troy Merritt (74).
Ninth-ranked Xander Schauffele of La Jolla and San Diego State is tied for 18th after a 72, fifth-ranked Tiger Woods, who has won the tournament five times, shot 70 and is tied for 25th, and eighth-ranked Bryson DeChambeau of Clovis, the defending champion, is tied for 59th following a 73.
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