Bubba Up by One at Memorial


Bubba Watson carded his second straight 3-under 69 to take over the lead heading into the final round of the Memorial Tournament. The $6.2 million PGA Tour event is taking place at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.

The 35-year-old native of Bagdad, Fla., got off to a great start, posting five birdies - and a bogey - on Nos. 2-7 to make the turn in 4-under 32. The two-time Masters champion cooled down from there, however, with a birdie and two bogeys on the back nine for a 37.

Watson goes into Sunday at 12-under 204, a stroke ahead of Scott Langley, who had a 67, and two in front of Japan's Hideki Matsuyama (69).

No 1-ranked Adam Scott recorded a 68 and is three back at 207, while sharing fifth at 8-under are South Africa's Charl Schwartzel (67) and Americans Jordan Spieth (67), Billy Horschel (68), Robert Streb (69), Brendon Todd (69) and 36-hole leader Paul Casey.

Casey began Saturday with a three-stroke lead over Watson. But the 36-year-old Brit shot a 4-under 76 to drop four behind Watson.

Watson, who in addition to winning the Masters in April also took the Northern Trust Open in February, will be looking for his third title of the year on Sunday. Watson said he's much better prepared to play well at Muirfield Village, a place that has given him fits in the past.

"It's all about maturity," he said. "Thinking around the golf course a lot better - it's my ninth year on Tour, so better thinking on the golf course is creating better shots. Hitting a lot more greens. Hitting a lot more fairways. Putting a little better this year. When you add all that up, it turns into better scores.

"I have a shot," he added of his chances to end up the Memorial champion on Sunday. "I'd like the same score tomorrow and let the boys beat me if they can beat me."

Scott, who responded to rising to the No. 1 position in the World Golf Ranking by winning the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in Texas a week ago, knows Watson might be difficult to catch. "It's going to be tough," the 33-year-old Aussie said.

"He's 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."

Tied for 11th at 7-under 209 are Ben Martin , who shot Saturday's low round of 7-under 65, Andrew Svoboda (68) and Ohio native Ben Curtis (69). Sharing sixth another stroke back are Bo Van Pelt (66), Luke Guthrie (66), Scott Brown (71), Ryan Moore (72), Chris Kirk (74) and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy.

After taking the first-round lead with a sterling 9-under 63, McIroy snowballed to a 78 Friday. The Ulsterman was much better on Saturday, however, posting a 69.

Defending champion Matt Kuchar carded a 69 for the second day in a row and is tied for 31st at 4-under.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.