World No.1 Adam Scott is making a strong push for a second consecutive victory, forging his way into a tie for third just one shot off the lead midway through the final round of the US PGA tour’s Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village.
Scott rattled off three straight birdies from holes three, before burying another on the seventh to surge to 13-under par at the turn, now trailing fellow Masters champion and overnight leader Bubba Watson and Japanese young gun Hideki Matsuyama by just one shot.
Scott is seeking to be the first player to win in consecutive weeks since Rory McIlroy accomplished the feat in the 2012 playoffs.
Watson has become a serious challenger for Scott’s world No.1 throne as he tries to secure his third victory of 2014.
With wins at Riviera in Los Angeles and then his second Masters title at Augusta National in April already this year, Watson would jump to No.2 if he salutes at Muirfield.
Watson opened the final round by rolling in a 35-foot putt from off the green for birdie and stayed ahead of the chasing pack with another birdie on the par-three fourth hole.
But when he failed to birdie either of the front side par-fives and remained 14-under through eight, the American allowed Matsuyama to catch up.
The 22-year-old Japanese star carded five birdies and just one bogey on the opening nine.
The International team member from the 2013 Presidents Cup would be the youngest winner of the event if he can find a way to close.
Playing with Scott he is chasing his first win on the US tour.
Aaron Baddeley made a run at a high finish when he was six-under on his round through 12 holes but dropped six shots over the last six to shoot even-par 72 and finish on three-under.
He is joined there by Jason Day (16 holes) and Marc Leishman (73) as the next best Australians.