Scheffler Surges Despite Stumbles: World No. 1 Leads Memorial Tournament by Four Shots

Scheffler Surges Despite Stumbles: World No. 1 Leads Memorial Tournament by Four Shots

Scottie Scheffler’s third round at the Memorial Tournament was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, yet the world No. 1 still managed to maintain a four-shot lead through 54 holes. As he aims for his fifth win this year, the resilience and skill of the American golfer were on full display, setting the stage for an exciting final round at Muirfield Village.

The day started well for Scheffler, who birdied two of his first four holes, showcasing the form that has made him a dominant force on the PGA Tour. However, the par-5 fifth hole presented an unexpected challenge. Scheffler’s second shot landed in a bunker about 45 yards from the hole. His third shot, a “little thin,” sent the ball over the green and into the water, resulting in a bogey. This misstep meant he played the four par-5s in an even par, a setback for the usually consistent Scheffler.

Trouble struck again at the par-4 ninth. A “slight pull” on his drive sent the ball ricocheting off a tree trunk and out of bounds, leading to a triple bogey. Despite these hurdles, Scheffler’s composure shone through. He quickly rebounded with a birdie on the next hole and added further birdies at Nos. 12 and 15. Although a three-putt on the final hole for a bogey marred his back nine slightly, his 1-under 71 was enough to keep him at the top of the leaderboard.

Reflecting on his round, Scheffler acknowledged the tough breaks but remained confident in his game. “Overall, I think I played pretty solid, just got a couple bad breaks and it’s going to happen around this golf course,” Scheffler said. His ability to recover quickly from setbacks is part of what makes him the world’s top player. “I feel like I hadn’t hit many shots at all today offline, and I had a triple on my card, and I was all of a sudden 1 over par. So, I was definitely frustrated with the break, but overall, I was like, I’m still swinging it really good, I didn’t need to change anything, I just need to stay in the right frame of mind.”

As the final round looms, Scheffler’s strategy remains unchanged. “I’m going to go out tomorrow and try and have a good round of golf, keep my head down and stay in my own little world out there. I’m not going to really pay any attention to what anybody else is doing out there, I’m just going to try and do my best.” His confidence and focus are reflected in his recent record, having converted his last four solo 54-hole leads into victories.

Scheffler’s nearest challengers, Collin Morikawa, Sepp Straka, and Adam Hadwin, are all tied at 6-under, four shots back. Each carded solid rounds, with Morikawa and Straka shooting 68 and Hadwin a 72. Despite their efforts, Hadwin acknowledged Scheffler’s dominance, “He’s far and above the No. 1 player in the world, I believe, especially after watching today. Obviously, a couple holes there where some things didn’t go his way, but the way he started and the way – like, the sound that he hits it with and the ball flight and the shape of the shots… I mean, I don’t expect him to lose this golf tournament.”

Xander Schauffele and Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg are next on the leaderboard at 4-under, while notable players like Rory McIlroy sit further back at 2-under, and Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry are at 1-under.

The Memorial Tournament, one of the PGA Tour’s signature events with a $20 million purse, is shaping up for a thrilling conclusion. With the US Open at Pinehurst just around the corner, all eyes will be on Scheffler to see if he can maintain his lead and claim yet another title in what has already been a stellar year.

As Sunday approaches, the golf world waits in anticipation. Will Scheffler solidify his standing as the top player with another victory, or will one of his challengers rise to the occasion? Stay tuned to find out.