Rory McIlroy grabs share of PGA Memorial lead with Kim Si-woo, David Lipsky
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Rory McIlroy plays his shot from the ninth fairway, during the third round.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
WASHINGTON – Rory McIlroy, Kim Si-woo and David Lipsky all took advantage of poor performances from Friday’s leaders to vault into a three-way tie for first on Saturday, after 54 holes of action at the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio.
McIlroy carded a two-under 70, Kim posted 71 and Lipsky had 72 to climb the leaderboard at Muirfield Village Golf Club.
All three sit at six-under 210 for the tournament.
Justin Suh, the halfway leader, dropped 13 spots into a tie for 14th after recording a five-over 77 on Saturday.
Hideki Matsuyama, who was second after 36 holes, fell into a tie for ninth with his 75.
McIlroy, who finished with four birdies against two bogeys, is searching for his 24th career victory on the PGA Tour.
With Kim seeking his fifth and Lipsky still trying to get his first, the Northern Irishman believes he could have the upper hand heading into Sunday but knows things can change quickly.
“I mean, it’s a big tournament and I’ve got quite a bit of experience and you would like to think that gives you a little bit of an advantage,” said the world No. 3 and four-time Major winner, who has yet to win on tour this season.
“But everyone’s going to go out there (on Sunday) and, regardless of where you are in the tournament, this golf course makes you a little uncomfortable.
“With the way the leaderboard is and how bunched it is, it’s just going to come down to who can sort of hold their head the most coming down the stretch.”
McIlroy had struggled after missing the cut at the Masters (the only Major he has not won) and sharing 47th at Quail Hollow in May.
But the 34-year-old tied for seventh at the PGA Championship two weeks ago at Oak Hill and has found better form with the US Open two weeks away.
“I’m feeling more comfortable than I felt at Oak Hill,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say I’m 100 per cent. But I’m battling and I’m hanging in there.”
Kim, who won his fourth PGA title in January at the Sony Open in Hawaii, made his second double-bogey of the day on the par-five 11th. The 27-year-old then answered with birdies on the 12th, 13th and 15th for a share of the lead.
“I feel great,” said the 2017 Players Championship winner.
“Making two doubles and shoot under par on this course, I’ll take it.”
South Korea’s Kim Si-Woo plays a shot from a bunker on the 16th hole, during the third round.
PHOTO: AFP
Lipsky, meanwhile, is confident that he can make a run even with the odds stacked against him.
“I feel like I’ve won at every stage of the game professionally,” the 34-year-old said.
“I haven’t broken through on the PGA Tour and hopefully that’s coming soon.
“I know I can win, I know I can close out tournaments, and I’m always excited to be in the hunt.”
Denny McCarthy (68), Viktor Hovland (69) and Wyndham Clark (70) are among five golfers who are tied for fourth a stroke back.
AFP, REUTERS
