Matt Kuchar, who was a tied for the lead in the Memorial Tournament after two rounds, rallied down stretch to retain a share of the top spot after 54 holes.
Kooch, the 2013 Memorial champion, was 1-over for the third round after 10 holes and tumbling down the leaderboard, but birdied four of the next five to shoot 2-under-par 70 and pull even with William McGirt and Gary Woodland heading to the final round at Muirfield Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.
“I love this golf course,” said Kuchar, who held a one-stroke lead until making a bogey on the 18th hole after a long rain delay. “This is the highlight for me of the year. I certainly have great memories here.
“My track record is very good. I’ll certainly be looking forward to tomorrow’s round of golf.”
Kooch is attempting to become the seventh player to win the tournament multiple times.
The 36-year-old McGirt, seeking is first PGA Tour victory, sank a four-foot eagle putt on the fifth hole en route to a 64, while Woodland had a bogey-free 69.
Emiliano Grillo of Argentina and Adam Hadwin of Canada both tallied 70s and were one stroke behind in a tie with fourth that also includes Dustin Johnson and Jon Curran, who both wound up at 68.
Twenty players are within four shots of the lead.
World No. 1 Jason Day, a Muirfield Village member, had an opportunity to tie for the lead on No. 18 but double-bogeyed after his third shot rolled off the front of the green.
Day shot 68 and was three shots back in a tie for 11th, while Phil Mickelson was tied for 16th after a 69, third-ranked Rory McIlroy was tied for 21st following a 70 and second-ranked Jordan Spieth struggled to a 74 and skidded to a tie for 58th.
Play was suspended for 2 hours and 29 minutes beginning at 5:02 p.m. EDT because of to inclement weather, but resumed just in time for the final groups to beat darkness.
Thunderstorms are forecast for Sunday afternoon, prompting tournament officials to send the players off in threesomes at 8:30 a.m. The leaders will tee off at 10:30 a.m.
