Bubba Watson has never been so happy at the Memorial. It helps to be in the lead.
Watson ran off three straight birdies on the front nine to overtake Paul Casey and wound up with his third straight round in the 60s on Saturday, a three-under 69 that gave him a one-shot lead at Muirfield Village and a chance to win for the third time this year.
In eight previous appearances, Watson has never finished better than a tie for 23rd.
“I have a shot,” Watson said. “I’d like the same score tomorrow and let the boys beat me if they can beat me.”
Plenty of them should have a chance. With a bogey on the final hole, Watson’s lead shrunk to one shot over Scott Langley, who had a 67 to make it an all-southpaw final pairing yesterday. Langley has not been in the final group since his rookie debut two years ago in Honolulu.
The most famous Lefty, Phil Mickelson, had a 72 and was 10 shots out of the lead while coping with reports he is involved in a federal investigation of insider trading.
Mickelson confirmed that FBI agents approached him after the first round this week. Otherwise, he went about his business on the golf course.
“It’s not going to change the way I carry myself,” Mickelson said. “Honestly, I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m not going to walk around any other way.”
Hideki Matsuyama of Japan made birdie on his last hole for a 69 and was two shots behind. Adam Scott, the No. 1 player in the world and coming off a win at the Colonial last week, made eagle on the 15th that sparked another surge up the leaderboard.
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