Anirban Lahiri lying T51 as three men lead Memorial

Anirban Lahiri overcame a mid-round slump to post 69 in the third round

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Anirban Lahiri overcame a mid-round slump to post 69 in the third round

Anand Datla

June 05, 2016: There is a three way tie at the Memorial at the end of three rounds. Gary Woodland, Matt Kuchar and William McGirt are all at 14-under through 54 holes, setting up a keenly contested title chase for Sunday. Anirban Lahiri gained eleven spots to T51, scoring a 69 on Saturday.

Anirban got off to a flyer with back to back birdies at the second and third holes. But playing off the fairway bunker at the par-4 sixth hole, Anirban sank his approach into the water. He made double bogey from there to surrender the early advantage.

A birdie at the 7th was quickly offset by another bogey at the next hole and Anirban made the turn in 36 holes.

Despite the setback, Anirban showed great heart to bounce back with back to back birdies at ten and eleven. At the par-5 15th Lahiri played to perfection, carting his tee shot 308 yards firmly on the fairway. His 229 yard second shot came to a rest just 11 feet from the pin, resulting in an eagle for the Indian.

Anirban bled one stroke at the 18th after battling the rough but his fightback on the back nine allowed him a three under 69, his best effort of the week.

McGirt has never won on the PGA TOUR. But he played stupendous golf on Saturday, mixing it with the big boys. He made seven birdies and an eagle in his 64 that gave him a share of the lead.

After two consecutive 66’s in the first round, Kuchar only needed a sedate 70 to stay on course for an eighth PGA TOUR title on Sunday.

Woodland shot 69 on Sunday to join Kuchar and McGirt at 14-under 202. Dustin Johnson worked his way back into contention with a 68 on Saturday. He is one off the pace.

Jason Day may regret his double bogey at the 18th, as he slipped back to 11-under at the final hole on Saturday.

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