By Mark Lamport-Stokes
DUBLIN, Ohio, June 2 (Reuters) – American journeyman Spencer
Levin stole the limelight from four-times champion Tiger Woods
at the Memorial tournament on Saturday, twice chipping in to
grab a one-shot lead in the wind-buffeted third round.
In pursuit of his first PGA Tour victory, Levin survived a
few anxious moments on the back nine to card a three-under-par
69 and take control of the event hosted by golfing great Jack
Nicklaus.
The 27-year-old shrugged off bogeys at the 12th and 16th,
then sank a clutch par putt from 14 feet at the 17th to post an
eight-under total of 208 at Muirfield Village Golf Club.
Overnight pacesetter Rory Sabbatini of South Africa returned
a 71 to finish at seven under, two better than American Rickie
Fowler, who birdied two of the last four holes for a 69.
Woods, who briefly led by one shot early in the third round,
was alone in fourth at four under, recording four bogeys after
the turn for a 73 as winds gusted up to 35 mph (56 kph).
“I had my opportunities to move up that board,” Woods said
greenside after covering the back nine in three-over 39.
“I missed a few putts that I should have made. I’m only four
back but I’ve still got a lot of work to do tomorrow.”
Woods made a fast start to the third round, sinking a
22-foot birdie putt from the fringe of the green at the par-four
first to join Sabbatini in a two-way tie at the top.
Continued…
