Merritt Three Up at RBC Heritage


Troy Merritt followed up his course-record-tying 10-under 61 Friday with a 69 to take a three-stroke lead heading into the final round of the RBC Heritage. The $5.9 million PGA Tour event is taking place at the Pete Dye-designed Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.

Merritt, a 29-year-old Iowan in search of his first Tour title, carded four birdies and a double-bogey on the par-4 eighth en route to a forging a 54-hole total of 14-under 199, three clear of fellow Americans Brendon Todd (63), Kevin Kisner (67) and Matt Kuchar.

Kuchar, the defending champion, posted a 68. Tied for fifth at 203 are Americans Brice Garnett (65) and Jim Furyk (68) and South African Branden Grace (66).

Newly crowned Masters' champion Jordan Spieth shot a 68 to rise into a tie for eighth at 204 with Bo Van Pelt (67). The 21-year-old Spieth opened with a 74 on a cold a windy Thursday but got back into the tournament with a 62 Friday.

Tied for 10th at 205 are England's Luke Donald (66), Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge (67), South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen (69), Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell (70) and Americans Justin Thomas (68), Morgan Hoffman (69) and John Merrick (71).

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