Day, Scott well back at PGA Memorial

Jason Day has blitzed the course at the Memorial Tournament but is a long way back after the third round of the US PGA Tour's Ohio event.

Jason Day

Jason Day shot a five-under 67 to move up the leaderboard at the US PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament. (AAP)

World No.3 Jason Day has cursed sluggish starts at his hometown event but is desperate to find consistency in his final hit-out before the US Open.

Day clawed his way back from the bottom of the leaderboard during the third round of the US PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament on Saturday.

But the Columbus resident Day lamented just three opening rounds under par in nine starts at Muirfield Village, where he is a member.

The 29-year-old Australian, who opened the Jack Nicklaus-hosted event with a 75 on Thursday, fired a five-under-par 67 on day three but sits 10 shots back of the lead.

Day is tied for 27th with fellow Australian Adam Scott, who carded a 71.

Chasing his first PGA Tour victory, unheralded American Daniel Summerhays carded a 68 to soar to 13 under, pouncing on spectacular collapse from overnight leader Jason Dufner (77).

Summerhays will take a three-shot lead into Sunday's finale over Matt Kuchar (67) at 10 under, with two-times Masters winner Bubba Watson (68), world No.13 Justin Thomas (69) and Dufner in a tie for third one shot back.

Sunday will be Day's last competitive round before a week off preparing for the US Open and he'll head to host venue Erin Hills in Wisconsin on Friday.

"I always struggle just trying to get off to a good start here (but) I seem to play OK on the weekend. Hopefully I can play well tomorrow; that will give me a good boost going into the off week, so I can train and practice a little harder and get some rest before heading to the US Open," said Day.

Marc Leishman was left to fly the Australian flag, carding even-72 to share of 19th at four under but conceded his nine-shot deficit was too big.

"There's still plenty to play for. I can always get into the top five and there's a lot of FedEx Cup points and prize money at stake," said Leishman.

The 33-year-old Leishman, who leads the Memorial field in driving accuracy, said his career-best form off the tee fills him with confidence before the US Open.

"If I can drive it like this at the US Open, a major where it's so crucial to drive it straight, it should be a good week," said Leishman.

Victorian youngster Brett Coletta, playing just his second US PGA Tour event, shot 72 to remain at three under (tied 27th) and is five shots ahead of countryman Cameron Smith (73) at two over.

Of the other Australians, Greg Chalmers (77) is four over, while Curtis Luck (75) is six over, Rod Pampling (78) seven over and Matthew Griffin (78) eight over.


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Source: AAP



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