Skip to main content

Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth among big names contending at Memorial

McIlroy has a share of the lead heading into Sunday’s final round, but some big names lurk behind him.

Rory McIlroy, The Memorial Tournament, Jordan Spieth
Rory McIlroy, The Memorial Tournament, Jordan Spieth
DUBLIN, Ohio — Rory McIlroy reacts to a shot from the second tee during the third round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 03, 2023.
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Jack Milko has been playing golf since he was five years old. He has yet to record a hole-in-one, but he did secure an M.A. in Sports Journalism from St. Bonaventure University.

Some of the sport’s biggest names are in contention at the Memorial Tournament.

Rory McIlroy has a share of the lead with Si Woo Kim and David Lipsky heading into Sunday’s final round at 6-under par.

McIlroy and Kim will comprise Sunday’s final pairing.

Had he not triple-bogeyed the 18th hole Thursday, McIlroy would have the lead by himself. But the Northern Irishman appears to have put that day one disaster behind him as he eyes winning the Memorial Tournament for the first time.

McIlroy shot a 2-under par 70 on Saturday, a terrific score considering Muirfield Village is playing firm, fast, and challenging. The Columbus, Ohio, area has not received rainfall in more than a week.

Rory McIlroy the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday
DUBLIN, Ohio — Rory McIlroy hits a tee shot on the fifth hole during the third round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 03, 2023.
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa, and Jordan Spieth are all right there as each player sits within three shots of the lead.

Hovland had one of the better rounds of the day with a 3-under round of 69. He made birdies at 15, 16, and 17 to vault himself up the leaderboard and into contention going into the final day. If the 25-year-old Norwegian goes on to win, it will mark the biggest victory of his young career.

Hovland sits at 5-under overall, one behind the leaders.

Morikawa also made a move Saturday, shooting a sub-70 round for the first time this week. After opening with rounds of 71 and 73, Morikawa made eight birdies en route to a 4-under par round of 68. He sits at 4-under par overall for the tournament.

A stroke behind Morikawa sits Spieth, who shot an even-par 72 for the second straight day. Spieth has made a barrage of putts from a distance and ranks second in the field in scrambling at 79.2%. If he can string together a few birdies early in his final round, Spieth has the confidence to be a factor down the stretch.

Jon Rahm, who struggled Saturday with a 2-over 74, is farther down the leaderboard. He sits 2-under for the tournament, five back of the lead. He has the game to go low, but Rahm might be too far back, as 22 players are within three shots of the lead.

“Anybody under par can win this golf tournament,” said Jack Nicklaus on the CBS Broadcast. “Even Scottie Scheffler, who is 1-under par.”

The leaderboard has plenty of big names, which should produce a thrilling finish at Jack’s Place.

More in Golf

Golf
PGA TOUR LIVE testing out new commentator-less broadcastPGA TOUR LIVE testing out new commentator-less broadcast
Golf

PGA Tour Live is testing out an announcer-less stream this week

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Trey Mullinax suspended 6 months for violating PGA Tour Anti-Doping policyTrey Mullinax suspended 6 months for violating PGA Tour Anti-Doping policy
Golf

The PGA Tour announced that Trey Mullinax has been suspended for 6 months

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Jenny Shin wins ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish OpenJenny Shin wins ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open
Golf

Jenny Shin had quite the win in Scotland

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Jackson Koivun proves future is now with 3M Open victoryJackson Koivun proves future is now with 3M Open victory
Golf

Jackson Koivun brought the future to the 3M Open with his win

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Multi-year partnership announced between PGA Tour, DP World Tour, Asian TourMulti-year partnership announced between PGA Tour, DP World Tour, Asian Tour
Golf

The future of professional golf is starting to take shape

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Notah Begay III officially named Payne Stewart Award recipientNotah Begay III officially named Payne Stewart Award recipient
Golf

Last weekend was a big one for Notah Begay

By RJ Ochoa

Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready...