Jon Rahm took total control of the Memorial Saturday with a dazzling 68 that spotted him a four-shot lead going into Sunday’s final round at Muirfield Village.
A firmer, faster course wiped out most of the competition for Rahm. His four-under score was by far the best effort of anyone in the top 10. He’s in position to take over as the world’s No. 1 player if he goes on to win on Sunday.
Rahm was even par for his round and was as many as four shots behind Tony Finau at one point. But Finau floundered on the back nine and Rahm went blowing past him and Ryan Palmer with four straight birdies starting at the 14th hole.
Rahm is 12-under through 54, four better than Finau and Palmer, both of whom shot 73s and finished poorly. Former Masters champion Danny Willett was alone at six-under, a half-dozen back of the leader.
“We changed the lofts on my irons, weakened them, I spent last week getting used to them,” Rahm pointed out after his brilliant outing. He’ll play the final 18 with Finau, who was his partner in last Wednesday’s charity skins game.
Tiger Shoots 71, Clips Playing Partner Brooks Koepka:
Tiger Woods was feeling much better on Saturday. His back loosened up enough for him to shoot a one-under par 71 that left him two-over par, 14 behind the leader. “Overall I felt like played well today,” Woods said after his round.
He clipped playing partner Brooks Koepka by two. Koepka’s 73 left him at four-over as his slump continues.
Koepka revealed that he had an MRI on his ailing left knee earlier this week.
“Nothing is improved. It’s still the same,” Koepka said of his knee’s condition. “So we’ll figure it out when we’re done.”
Koepka said he feels “physically fine” but his knee “has its moments.” He’s in the field for next week’s 3M Open in Minnesota, before defending titles at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational and PGA.
Koepka is not yet assured of playing in the FedExCup playoffs. He began this week at No. 156 in the standings, with only the 125 eligible for the first postseason event.
