Watson leads as Scott lurks
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.
Latest
-
NewsGolfers warned of further sanctions if they continue to play in LIV breakaway
The DP World Tour has issued fines of £100,000 and tournament bans to its members who played in the inaugural LIV Golf event earlier this month
-
European TourDP World Tour hits members who played inaugural LIV series with £100,000 fines
They have also been banned from several forthcoming tournaments including the Scottish Open.
-
NewsRory McIlroy not impressed as Brooks Koepka becomes latest big name to join LIV
The world number two labelled the players who have joined the new series as “duplicitous” for the way they have handled their breakaway.
-
The OpenR&A confirms LIV Golf Series players will be allowed to compete at Open
The 150th Open Championship will get underway at St Andrews in three weeks’ time.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick turns to other major winners for advice on dealing with fame
Fitzpatrick won the US Open on Sunday.
-
NewsBrooks Koepka set to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series
Koepka’s brother Chase played in the opening event at Centurion Club earlier this month.
-
US OpenGary Player urges Matt Fitzpatrick to avoid ‘poison’ of modern-day coaching
Player tells US Open champion Fitzpatrick to learn from mistakes of recent major winners, saying: “The teaching today is the worst it has ever been.”
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick’s caddie Billy Foster ready for ‘long party’ after US Open win
Foster won his first major after a 40-year career which includes spells working for the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick backed to become a dominant force after winning first major
The Englishman claimed his first major title at Brookline.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick: A Blade with plenty of support who can really cut it
The Sheffield golfer landed his first major – and first professional win in America – at Brookline on Sunday.