Dublin, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Bubba Watson shot 3-under 69 for the second straight day Saturday and he moved one stroke clear of the field after three rounds of the Memorial Tournament.
Watson, who has already won at Riviera and Augusta this year, ended 54 holes at 12-under-par 204. In the last eight years, Watson hasn't finished better than tied for 23rd at this event.
Another left-hander, Scott Langley, shot 5-under 67 to move into second place at minus-11 at Muirfield Village Golf Club.
Hideki Matsuyama carded a 3-under 69 and moved into third at 10-under 206. World No. 1 Adam Scott posted a 4-under 68 and climbed to minus-9, where he is alone in fourth place.
Charl Schwartzel and Jordan Spieth both shot 67 in round three. They were joined in fifth place at 8-under-par 208 by Billy Horschel (68), Robert Streb (69), Brendon Todd (69) and second-round leader Paul Casey (76).
Casey stumbled to a bogey on the first. Watson followed with birdies on two and three to join Casey in the lead at 11-under.
Watson missed the green at the par-3 fourth and that led to a bogey, which dropped him one behind Casey. Watson 2-putted for birdie on the par-5 fifth, but remained one back as Casey also birdied that hole.
An 8-foot birdie putt on No. 6 gave Watson a share of the lead at minus-12. Watson followed with another 2-putt birdie on the seventh to grab the lead.
Watson parred three in a row from the eighth. Casey fell off the pace with three bogeys in a 4-hole span from the 10th. Watson tripped to a bogey on the par-5 11th after finding water off the tee.
After three pars in a row, Watson converted a 12-foot birdie effort on the par-5 15th to move back to minus-13. Watson missed the green at the last and that led to a closing bogey.
"I just kept my head down, and that's what I've been doing all year. Just grinding away, realizing how blessed I am to play on the PGA Tour," Watson said. "Shooting in the 60s every day is my goal. It's working out so far."
Langley had eight pars and a single birdie on the front nine. Around the turn, he dropped in back-to-back birdie chances at 10 and 11.
The 2010 NCAA Individual champion birdied the 15th and 17th to get within one of Watson's lead.
"This place is tough. It makes you really stay in the moment," said Langley. "Fifteen was a little bit of a bonus. The greens were a little faster and firmer."
Casey got one stroke back when he birdied the 16th, but he faltered to a double-bogey at the last to end four behind Watson.
NOTES: Watson has opened with three rounds in the 60s, and that is the first time he has three rounds in the 60s at this event ... Watson has converted just two of his eight previous 54-hole leads on the PGA Tour into victories ... No left-hander has ever won this event ... Langley has gone 41 holes without a bogey ... Defending champion Matt Kuchar carded a 3-under 69 in round three and he is tied for 31st at 4-under 212.
