Rahm in pole position ahead of final round in Ohio

Jon Rahm will take a four-stroke lead into the final round of the Memorial Tournament as he bids to replace Rory McIlroy as world number one.
The Spaniard will top the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time if he wins and McIlroy, who finished the day 10 shots back in a share of 12th, finishes worse than a two-way tie for second.
Even a runner-up finish could see Rahm become world number one, but, after a commanding third round 68 in Ohio, the 25-year-old will hope not to have to concern himself with those permutations.
🐦🐦🐦🐦
Four straight birdies for @JonRahmPGA. He leads by two.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/i0YzLz15yc
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 18, 2020
A birdie from five feet at the seventh was followed by a bogey on the next after Rahm tangled with a bunker in an uneventful front nine.
However, in tough conditions at Muirfield Village, Rahm reeled off four successive birdies from the 13th to take control of the tournament.
“It’s a good job done today,” Rahm told Sky Sports Golf.
“It was not easy out there today. That front nine was hard.
“I kind of got things rolling, I started playing beautiful golf from nine onwards and gave myself chances and kind of took off.”
From 200 yards out in the rough.
Not a problem for @McIlroyRory. 🐦#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/DjBIQlmKdU
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 18, 2020
On 12 under par he leads by four from Americans Ryan Palmer and Tony Finau – the latter putting a serious dent in his chances of a second PGA Tour title when he lost his cool on the back nine.
Having double-bogeyed the 12th, Finau took the ill-advised decision to attempt to drive the green on the 14th only to find water en route to a bogey, before blindsiding himself on the 17th trying to clear the dog-leg with his tee shot and running up another double bogey.
That saw him match Palmer’s 73, with England’s Danny Willett fourth on six under following a round of 70.
McIlroy carded a level-par 72 to remain two under, with Tiger Woods going one better to improve to two over for the tournament.
Latest
-
Ryder Cup
New Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald motivated by ‘bitter’ memories of 2021 defeat
Stenson was stripped of the role for breaking his contract by joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
The task facing Luke Donald after replacing Henrik Stenson
Stenson was appointed on March 15 and said he was fully committed to a role before signing with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald named Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
Donald replaces Henrik Stenson after he was stripped of the role.
-
PGA Tour
Tony Finau claims second straight PGA Tour victory
The American won the 3M Open in his previous outing.
-
News
Henrik Stenson cushions Ryder Cup blow with £3.6m debut win in LIV Golf
The Swede was stripped of his role as Europe captain after joining the Saudi-backed breakaway tour.
-
News
Former Masters champion Bubba Watson becomes latest player to join LIV Golf
The left-hander is currently sidelined by a knee injury and is not expected to play until next season,
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald tipped to replace Henrik Stenson as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
The Swede lost the job 127 days after his appointment following his decision to join the LIV Golf series.
-
News
Max Homa: Tiger Woods now understands the respect he commands from his peers
Homa has made no secret of his admiration for Woods.
-
Ryder Cup
Bernard Gallacher fears Greg Norman is not the man for compromise with LIV Golf
Players who have resigned from the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf will not be eligible for next year’s Ryder Cup.
-
LPGA Tour
Brooke Henderson takes two-shot lead into final round of Evian Championship
South Korea’s Ryu So-yeon climbed into outright second place on 15 under.