• Memorial Tournament, Round Three

Fowler leads by three after weather-hit third round

Justin Rose made early inroads into Rickie Fowler's lead © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Fabulous Fowler thunders ahead at Memorial
  
• News: Rose putts his way into equal lead at Memorial
  
• Profile: Rickie Fowler

A major delay in play due to inclement weather disrupted the third round of the Memorial Tournament, where a blistering round from clubhouse leader Ricky Barnes shot the American to within striking distance of Rickie Fowler on Saturday.

Fowler began the day three shots ahead of the rest of the field on 13-under-par, and he maintained his advantage with a three-under 69 to move to 16-under. The 21-year-old is chasing his maiden PGA Tour title, and should he win he will become the third player under the age of 22 to win a title in the last six weeks, following the lead of Rory McIlroy and Jason Dayy.

"I'm hitting the ball well," Fowler said. "I kept it out of trouble, and I knew opportunities were coming around. It was a matter of waiting for them."

However, Barnes is breathing right down his compatriot's neck though after he narrowly missed out on the course record, carding a marvellous 10-under round of 62. John Huston's effort of 61 back in 1996 remains the benchmark, leaving Barnes just one birdie short of equalling that record.

Barnes fired himself into contention by going seven-under through the opening 13 holes ahead of the weather interruption. Hitting five birdies and an eagle at the par-five 11th, he raced to within three shots of the lead with an overall score of 10-under. Then, unperturbed by the hold-up for the elements he then returned to instantly hit another birdie, and by the end of his round he was within one stroke of the leader on 13-under.

England's Justin Rose had begun the day as Fowler's closest challenger, three shots off the pace, and he initially managed to close the gap to two by birdying the par-five fifth before the players were called off the course due to thunder warnings. Upon his return Rose improved his score to 13-under through 12, but slipped back to 12-under to lurk four shots off the pace.

Tim Petrovic, who began the day in third place, moved ahead of Rose after a four-under 68, while Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge moved up to fifth after an impressive round of 65 to take him to 11-under.

World No. 5 Jim Furyk endured a miserable start to his third round, failing to record a single birdie during the outward nine, before carding a bogey at the tenth. He completed his round in par to remain on nine-under for the tournament.

Phil Mickelson also struggled at the tenth, dropping one of two bogeys in a frustrating round that saw him improve to only eight-under through 13. Mickelson was level with Rory McIlroy, who birdied the 18th to move one ahead on eight-under.

Tiger Woods enjoyed improved fortunes with a steady three-under round of 69, which featured five birdies and the solitary double-bogey - the latter of which arrived after he sent his tee shot out of bounds.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.