DUBLIN, Ohio — Billy Horschel has now held the 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour five times in his career, but never by a greater margin than the five-shot cushion he enjoys heading into the final round of the Memorial Tournament.
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“I’ve had it in my head many times,” said the likeable Florida native.
“Let’s just say fine,” he replied with a huge smile.
This one could also go very well.
Hey, you’d be smiling if you’d just finished a sterling round seven under 65, day low round at the damn Muirfield Village Golf Club, and hadn’t taken a bogey in your last 44 holes. Such were the circumstances after the Memorial’s third round on a course that many players described as “accessible”, but only one guy got it. It’s Horschel, who sits at 13-under 203, five ahead of Aaron Wise and second-round leader Cameron Smith.
The bulge matches the largest 54-hole lead on the tour this season and is the second-largest in tournament history behind Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm, who led by six strokes in 2000 and 2021, respectively. Woods won the second of his record five Memorial titles. Rahm, of course, never reached the starting grid, having to retire because he tested positive for Covid-19.
By the way, the biggest comeback in the final round happens to be five strokes, accomplished three times, most recently in 2007 by KJ Choi.
Horschel, a six-time winner on the circuit ranked 17th in the world, should feel pretty safe, at least if we don’t mention that the player who emerged with the trophy in the last two events came seven strokes behind.
Oops, we just mentioned that.
“I just go to the tee knowing I’m leading the tournament,” said Horschel, who has converted 54-hole runs to victory twice in four tries. “I know I have as many shots as I have in front of me. Just get out there, try to play a really good round of golf. I’m not going to be protective. I’m not going to be too aggressive. I will play as I have done for the last three days.
Lots of sunshine made Muirfield Village a bit salty on Saturday, and the similar forecast for Sunday means that once again quality photos will be needed. Players chasing regular Horschel are hoping for wind and inspiration to spur a rally. They know recent history. They don’t feel out of it. Ten players sit within seven strokes of the top.
“Yeah, two weeks in a row. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s different,” Wise said after a third-round 69. ” Everything is possible. Everything is possible.”
After Smith and Wise were Daniel Berger, Jhonattan Vegas and former Open champion Francesco Molinari at seven under 209. Defending champion Patrick Cantlay was among five T-7 players with a total score of 210.
“Yeah, you never know what this course is going to bring you,” said Players Championship winner Smith after a par 72. “Anything can really happen here. I think the course layout was great today. I hope to have another day like this where there are birdie opportunities Yeah this place is unreal You really never know what it seems like you can get a birdie on every hole and you can make a double or a triple fairly quickly.
“I feel like if you’re chasing you always want it to be as hard as possible,” Wise said. “The greens are really firm. If it gets a bit windy tomorrow and the greens get even a little firmer, that’s one of those things where anything can happen.
Cantlay has an outside chance to become the third player to win at least three times at Muirfield Village, joining Woods and Kenny Perry. He kept a silver lining with two eagles after starting with a double bogey.
“I feel like I did everything I could,” said Cantlay, who held on not only with the two eagles but also with bunker stops on the last three holes to shoot 69.” It looks like eight under is second place, and you look at these players first and see what you need to do. We know this golf course can be tough, so I feel like I’m here.
“The first time I won here I was way behind on Sunday,” he added of his 2019 victory in which he came from four behind with a record 64. “This course Golf is going to get harder, but it can still give good scores if you hit really good shots, so I think there’s still an opportunity with a weak. But you better hit really good shots.
It would be recommended.
