American Kuchar tied for lead at Memorial

WASHINGTON: Matt Kuchar tallied four birdies in a five-hole back nine stretch en route to a two-under 70 and a share of the lead following the third round of the Memorial Tournament Saturday.

The 2013 Memorial champion Kuchar, returned after a long rain delay and made bogey on his final hole of the round to finish at 14-under 202 through 54 holes.

Kuchar had three straight birdies beginning on the par-four 13th and four birdies and two par saves in a six-hole stretch on the back nine.

He is tied with fellow Americans William McGirt and Gary Woodland at the Muirfield Village course.

Australia’s Jason Day shot a 68 and is tied for 11th, just three shots back of the leaders. Rory McIlroy is five shots adrift after shooting a 70.

Emilio Grillo and Dustin Johnson lead a group of four golfers at 13-under 203, one shot back of the leaders.

Grillo had an even bigger late stumble than Kuchar as the Argentinian posted a double bogey on the par-four 17th. The miscue dropped him from the lead to a 70.

“On 17, I was ready to hit and the official told me not to hit, and then they waited a minute to blow the horn,” Grillo said.

“I’m kind of (mad) about that, but it is what it is.

“Instead of hitting a driver on 17, I’d be hitting a three-wood and my second shot from the fairway most likely.”

The 36-year-old McGirt, seeking is first PGA Tour win, sank a four-foot eagle putt on the fifth hole en route to a 64, while Woodland had a bogey-free 69

Canada’s Adam Hadwin fired a 70 and was one stroke behind in the tie with fourth that also includes Johnson and Jon Curran, who both wound up at 68, and Grillo.

Twenty players are within four shots of the lead. Play was suspended for two hours, 29 minutes because of bad weather, but resumed just in time for the final groups to finish before it got dark.