Watson leads as Scott lurks

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  • June 1, 2014

A second consecutive three-under-par 69 powered Bubba Watson into the lead at the Memorial Tournament, but world number one Adam Scott is not far behind.

The reigning Masters champion finds himself at 12 under for the tournament, one stroke better than Scott Langley with Hideki Matsuyama at 10 under and the top-ranked Scott another shot adrift.

Watson was excellent on the front nine at Muirfield Village, carding five birdies in six holes with a bogey at the par-three fourth his only blemish. He was less spectacular on the back nine with only one birdie at the 15th and bogeys at the 11th and 18th.

“I just kept my head down, grinding away,” he told CBS television. “Shooting in the 60s every day is my goal. It’s working out so far.”

Langley produced a flawless 67 with four birdies coming on the front nine while Matsuyama’s 69 included six birdies and three bogeys.

Australian Scott, who celebrated claiming the world number one ranking from Tiger Woods by winning at Colonial, moved into fourth place and his 68 included an eagle at the par-five 15th.

“It’s going to be tough,” Scott said. “He’s (Watson) playing great this year, and I just have to post a number.

“I’m in a good position where I can possibly post a number, and that makes life a little harder for the leader.”

Second-round leader Paul Casey fell away badly with a 76 to be tied fifth at eight under along with Charl Schwartzel, Jordan Spieth, Brendon Todd, Billy Horschel and Robert Streb.

Meanwhile, first-round leader Rory McIlroy will feel a lot better after he followed up his nightmare second round of 78 with a 69 that included an eagle par-five 11th, four birdies and three bogeys.

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