World number 1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler made four birdies in his final five holes for a bogey-free, 4-under 68 to reach 8-under and take a one-shot lead heading into the final day at the Memorial Tournament.
“There’s opportunity there on 14 and 15, and 13 if you’re in the fairway. With the wind direction we had today those holes are downwind, so there’s some good opportunities there for birdie, 15 being a reachable par-5,” said Scheffler. “I just hit a lot of really good shots down the stretch, you know, in the fairway from 13 on, which is important, and gave myself a lot of good looks and was able to hole some there — holed two really nice putts there on 17 and 18. A really good one on 14 as well.
“It felt like where the pins were today there was so much break around the cup, and I felt like I was putting from 20 feet along the front nine, I’m playing like 3 feet of break sometimes, and it was challenging out there.”
This was the American’s first bogey-free round in nineteen rounds at the Memorial Tournament.
With a win, Scheffler would join Tiger Woods (1999-2001) as the only players to successfully defend their title at the Memorial Tournament. Following his 2025 PGA Championship victory, he would also join Woods as the only players to win the Memorial Tournament and The Players Championship or a major championship in the same season in multiple years: Scheffler (2024), Woods (1999, 2000, 2001).
The 2024 champion became the fourth winner of the Memorial Tournament to go on to win the FedExCup in the same season, including the third in the last four years (Viktor Hovland/2023, Patrick Cantlay/2021, Tiger Woods/2009).
Scheffler holds the 54-hole lead/co-lead for the 17th time. He is 10-for-16 to date in converting to victory when leading/co-leading entering the final round in individual stroke-play events on the PGA Tour, having converted his last six.
American Ben Griffin who had held the lead/co-lead since Thursday signed for a 72 after making five birdies and five bogeys for an even-par 72 and lies in second place at 7-under.
“I was really into shapes today, a lot of circles and a lot of squares. Not a ton of — well, actually, I guess kind of a few pars here and there,” said Griffin . “Yeah, it was an interesting round. I felt like I was starting to separate myself midway through and then kind of got to some tough holes and didn’t execute very well. You can do that out here, and so tomorrow I’ve got to clean up some of those holes, make sure I stay aggressive. It’s hard because this golf course, there’s not a lot of bailouts, especially off the tee and a lot of times to these greens because you can leave yourself in some really difficult spots.
“I unfortunately, got myself in some difficult spots there for a few holes. So I’ve just got to stay aggressive, continue to execute. My game feels really good. Obviously, Scottie Scheffler’s the best player in the world, but No. 1 can be beat.”
Canada’s Nick Taylor, who held a share of the overnight lead, fired an eagle at the par-4 14th and a birdie at the 15th but also made three bogeys and a double bogey at the par-3 12th to close with a 74 and move down into third place at 5-under.
U.S. Ryder Cup team captain Keegan Bradley made one birdie and one bogey before making birdies at four of his last five holes. He carded a 68 and moved into a share of fourth place at 3-under alongside Austrian Sepp Straka whose 66 was bogey-free and fellow American Jordan Spieth who produced six birdies and six bogeys for a 72.
One qualifying spot is available for The Open Championship in July and will go to the leading player, not otherwise exempt. Through 54 holes the leading three non-exempt players are currently Rickie Fowler (T7/-2), Jacob Bridgeman (T10/-1) and Ryan Gerard (T15/+1).
