• Memorial Tournament, Round Three

Woods suffers worst ever nine-hole score

Tiger Woods hit his worse ever nine-hole score © Getty Images

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Memorial Tournament Leaderboard

Tiger Woods endured a torrid third round at the Muirfield Village on Saturday, ending his hopes of successfully defending his Memorial title as Rory McIlroy once again struggled in Ohio.

Woods, starting his round on the tenth tee for the second successive day, suffered a terrible front nine, carding an eight-over-par 44 at the turn which included a bogey, two doubles and a triple bogey seven at the par-four 18th; the highest nine-hole score of his professional career.

Things looked to improve for the American when he carded three birdies to stop the rot in the opening five holes of his back nine, but two more bogeys in the final run to the clubhouse meant Woods finished with a seven-over-par 79 and remains firmly out of contention at eight-over.

McIlroy, also starting on the tenth, began in similar fashion with a bogey at his first before scoring his first birdie of the week at 12 to bring his score to even par.

The Northern Irishman's front nine proved a largely uneventful affair as he carded a further seven pars, but it was the back nine that ended any slim chance of a surge up the leaderboard.

Two bogeys and a double meant that McIlroy looked set to finish four-over for the day, before a birdie at his last sees him sit at six-over.

Matt Kuchar tops the standings at eight-under par after a two-under third round of 70. Five birdies and three bogeys made up an inconsistent round for the American, but he will take a two-shot lead into the final day.

Justin Rose leads the British attack, moving within three of the lead after finishing with a one-under score of 71. It could have been better for Rose, however, as three bogeys within four holes thwarted his rise to challenge the front runners. The Brit carded three birdies to keep within touch.

Masters champion Adam Scott enjoyed a mixed bag but still remains in the hunt after a three-under round of 69 moved the Australian to four-under overall.

Scott finished his opening nine holes one-over after making three birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey before improving his chances with a four-birdie streak in the back nine.

Kevin Chappell carded a four-under 68 to move well within contention at six-under, two shots off the lead. The American hit five birdies and a solitary bogey in his impressive third round.

Compatriot Kyle Stanley will be disappointed after finishing one-over for the day with a 73. Despite making eagle at the eleventh, Stanley hit five bogeys to drop down a shot in the standings.

Charl Schwartzel also dropped further from the top and was another player to suffer a disastrous back nine. Despite being two-under thru seven, the South African carded four bogeys and a double to finish four-over for the day and drop to four-under overall.

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