DUBLIN, Ohio — On a demanding Saturday at the Memorial Tournament in Muirfield Village, Scottie Scheffler demonstrated his knack for strong finishes, ultimately positioning himself at the top. Despite an initially uneventful run of 13 consecutive pars, the world’s top-ranked golfer showcased his resilience with an exceptional ending.
Falling six shots behind initially, Scheffler found his form and closed with an impressive sequence of four birdies over the last five holes, recording a 4-under 68. This skillful play led him to a one-stroke advantage after Ben Griffin faltered with a missed 3-foot par putt on the 18th. “I’m unsure what the average scores were today, but I’m proud of my finish given how challenging it was,” Scheffler remarked. “The course was tough, and being even par through 13 when playing well was a testament to that.”
The challenge wasn’t just for Scheffler, but also for his competitors. When holding a lead after 54 holes, Scheffler has proven difficult to beat, winning the last eight such instances, including his recent victory at the PGA Championship. This weekend, he eyes his third triumph in four starts. However, the competition remains fierce, with five contenders within five shots, ready to capitalize on any slip-ups.
Among the pursuers is Griffin, fresh off his first PGA Tour win at Colonial. Despite the circumstances, he remains unfazed by the prospect of catching Scheffler. “Scottie Scheffler may be No. 1, but he’s beatable,” Griffin confidently asserted. “I managed it last week, and I’m aiming for aggressive play to keep pressure on him.”
The weathered field reflected the day’s difficulty, with a scoring average of 73.9 for the round, and several players struggling to break 80. Scheffler, uniquely, maintained below-par performances throughout, positioning himself at 8-under 208.
Griffin had his moments, reaching 10-under with a streak of three birdies. However, a series of missteps saw him relinquish that advantage, succumbing to four consecutive bogeys. Meanwhile, Scheffler strategically bided his time, pacing himself for a substantive swing as he has in previous tournaments.
Plotting his course, Scheffler commented, “I noticed Ben pushed to 10 under, but changing my strategy wasn’t the answer. This golf course is tricky, so no advantage feels comfortable here. I aimed for consistency, knowing it would secure my place near the top moving forward.”
Scheffler ignited his back-nine run with a crucial 10-foot birdie on the 14th, followed by strategic play on the par-5 15th for another birdie. Lines of well-placed shots led to a series of birdies, securing his edge heading into the final round.
Other chasers include Jordan Spieth, who shared brief proximity to the lead before faltering late with bunker and water struggles, finishing his day five strokes off the lead. Despite the slip, Spieth highlighted the enjoyment of being competitive and the challenge that Scheffler presents by day-end. “Scottie’s performance makes it unlikely he’ll slow down tomorrow,” Spieth speculated. “It demands something exceptional to catch him, but I’m focused on outperforming per round.”
Canada’s Nick Taylor retains competitive distance, finishing three shots shy after a turbulent day involving excursions into water hazards, but recovering with a dramatic eagle. Meanwhile, Sepp Straka, turning heads with a 66, entered the mix of contenders, sharing his position with Spieth and Keegan Bradley.
Further back, but still within theoretical reach, lie Patrick Cantlay and Rickie Fowler. Each seeks to leverage any opportunity Scheffler might open with his gameplay. “The course demands a solid game to contend,” Taylor reflected. “Scheffler is on fire, and it takes my absolute best to vie for a win, especially at Muirfield Village.”
The final round promises high drama, requiring the most strategic cunning and precision to challenge golf’s reigning star.