DUBLIN, OHIO – JUNE 03: Si Woo Kim of South Korea plays a shot from a bunker on the 16th hole during the third round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 03, 2023 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Muirfield, US, June 4: Korea’s Si Woo Kim overcame two double bogeys for a gutsy 1-under 71 and earned the joint third round lead at the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday alongside World. No. 3 Rory McIlroy and David Lipsky.
The three players are tied at 6-under with five others Denny McCarthy (68), Viktor Hovland (69), Wyndham Clark (70), Lee Hodges (70) and Mark Hubbard (72) tied at fifth at 5-under. Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, who was solo second through 36 holes, carded a 75 which included a triple bogey on the par-3 12th hole and enters the final round in tied ninth place, but only two off the pace at 4-under.
Another Korean Sungjae Im shot a fine 67 and propelled himself to a share of 14th place at 3-under and only three back of the co-leaders.
The 27-year-old Kim fought brilliantly at Muirfield Village Golf Club with six birdies off-setting his doubles and another bogey as he took aim at a second PGA TOUR title of the season and his career fifth win. He will be looking to emulate countryman K.J. Choi’s victory in 2007 at the US$20 million showpiece hosted by golf legend Jack Nicklaus.
Reigning FedExCup champion McIlroy, who is also chasing a second win of the season, signed for a 70 which featured four birdies and two bogeys while Lipsky stayed on course for a maiden win after salvaging a 72 following a topsy-turvy day which saw him trade four birdies against as many bogeys, three of which he conceded over the last six holes.
“I feel I hit a lot of great tee shots and a lot of great iron shots and hopefully it goes in with the putter. But I feel great, especially making two doubles and shoot under par on this course, I’ll take it,” said Kim, who earned his career fifth 54-hole lead/co-lead on TOUR.
Kim is prepared for another fight on Sunday after landing in the final pairing alongside McIlroy as he seeks a first multi-win season on the PGA TOUR.
McIlroy, a 23-time PGA TOUR winner, was in a buoyant mood after saving par from eight feet at the last to be tied for the lead. ” I’ve done a good job this week of keeping the ball in play,” said McIlroy.
