Rahm builds a 4-shot lead at the Memorial in his quest to be No. 1

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Jon Rahm of Spain hits from the 18th tee during the third round of the Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday July 18, 2020, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo / Darron Cummings)

DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) Jon Rahm showed at Memorial on Saturday why he is one of the most explosive players in golf.

With their sticks.

A nine lap that culminated what he considers to be one of the best rounds of his careers gave Rahm a 4 under 68, turned a four shot deficit into a four shot lead and put the 25-year-old Spaniard on the brink. of reaching number 1 in the world.

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Jon Rahm of Spain watches his chip to the 18th green during the third round of the Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday July 18, 2020, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo / Darron Cummings)

“Today could be one of the best rounds of golf I have ever played,” said Rahm, in a tribute to a Muirfield Village that is so close to the edge that it made comparisons to a major. “And it’s hard to believe how passive he was, compared to how I play.”

His passion is so great that it can hurt as much as it helps. On this day, faced with this test, Rahm remained calm. He watched Tony Finau hit par 5 11 in two for a birdie sure to leave the Spaniard four shots behind.

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Jon Rahm of Spain reacts on the 18th green during the third round of the Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday July 18, 2020, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo / Darron Cummings)

There was no panic. Rahm said he said to his caddy at tee number 13: “If we can finish the last six holes under par, it’s a great finale.” And whatever we have to do to return, we will make a return. ”

Birdie. Birdie. Birdie. Birdie.

With the help of Finau and his two double bogeys, and Ryan Palmer with bogeys on two of his last three holes, that became a four-shot lead for Rahm.

A victory allows him to join Seve Ballesteros as the only Spaniards to reach number 1, provided Rory McIlroy does not finish as runner-up. McIlroy fired 72 – it wasn’t a bad effort on a day where the average score was 73.7 – and he took 10 shots back.

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Tony Finau takes a drop after hitting his shot in the water from tee 14 during the third round of the Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday July 18, 2020, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo / Darron Cummings)

“I have to go out tomorrow, play solid again and get the job done and think about No. 1 later,” he said.

Rahm was 12-under 204 as he searches for his fourth win on the PGA Tour, and the tenth worldwide. Finau and Palmer, each with a 73, were three behind. Former Masters champion Danny Willett (70), next in line six shots behind.

Finau was ghost-free on front nine, he dumped a 50-foot putie birdie and then easily reached the green on par 5 11 for a two-putt birdie to hit 12 below.

One hit changed everything.

Finau’s tee shot at par 3 12 in a swirling wind sailed 15 yards over the green, leaving a chip downhill from thick rough to a green that was yellow and ran into the water. He cut it short, crossed the green and double bogeyed. Finau took another double bogey on the 17th hole with a rough awkward lie.

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Tony Finau hits the ninth green during the third round of the Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday July 18, 2020, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo / Darron Cummings)

“It was good, and then it wasn’t good,” said Finau. ” Man, this golf course can take you in an instant. Just try to put your best foot forward on each hole, each shot, and try to play your best. The greens are firm. There is enough wind there to think. They are fast. A little disappointed with my finish, but look, I’m in a good position for tomorrow.

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Tony Finau, left, reacts after losing a birdie putt on the ninth hole to Ryan Palmer during the third round of the Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday July 18, 2020, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo / Darron Cummings)

“And it will be difficult tomorrow.”

Muirfield Village is rebuilding all the greens starting Monday, and tournament officials are not afraid to let the course hit the limit for the strongest course of the year.

It was not easy to get close. Drilling putts was not easy. It was not easy to do anything.

It was the highest average score for the third round at the Memorial since 2012, last year Tiger Woods won. There will be no repetition of that. Woods said he felt better and played better, scoring a 71. He was still 14 strokes behind.

That’s what made Rahm’s round so special. The ball kept rolling on the greens, and the Spaniard realized it was happening to everyone. He only dropped one shot, in the eighth par 3.

And its ending was simply sublime.

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Tiger Woods looks on from the 18th tee during the third round of the Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday July 18, 2020, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo / Darron Cummings)

Rahm played in the group against Finau and saw him reach the 11th green in two, a sure birdie. His only concern was hitting the green at No. 12, trying to pick up a birdie or two and if he had to recover on Sunday, so be it.

He hit his tee shot 360 yards over the bunker that created a 12-foot birdie wedge on Day 13. He wisely lay down on Day 14, with the jerseys ahead to play 322 yards, and hit the wedge 5-foot birdie.

To the right of the green at par 5 15th in two, with the green running fast and away from him, he hit a flop and ran 3 feet for a third straight birdie. And then capped it off with a 25-foot birdie putt on the 16th.

Just like that, he had the upper hand. He is in control.

Rahm has had a mathematical opportunity to reach No. 1 since golf resumed six weeks ago. He missed the cut at Colonial and finished in the top 25 in the other three events he played.

Now he’s right in front of him, along with a course from Muirfield Village that won’t be easier.

“Whatever happens tomorrow, but it will be a great test for me to learn for the future, for great championships,” said Rahm. “Because this will be the closest thing to a major championship without being one.”

Video: The third round at The Memorial turned out to be anything but easy (SMG)