American journeyman Spencer Levin stole the limelight from four-time champion Tiger Woods at the Memorial tournament Saturday, twice chipping in to grab a one-shot lead in a wind-buffeted third round. In pursuit of his first PGA Tour victory, Levin survived a few anxious moments on the back nine to card a three-under-par 69 and take control of the event hosted by golfing great Jack Nicklaus. The 27-year-old shrugged off bogeys at the 12th and 16th, then sank a clutch par putt from 14 feet at the 17th to post an eight-under total of 208 at Muirfield Village Golf Club. “I don't know if I could have done much better,” said Levin, whose round was one of only three better than 70 as winds gusted up to 35 mph (56 kph). Overnight pacesetter Rory Sabbatini of South Africa recovered from an erratic start to shoot a 71 and finish at seven under, two better than American Rickie Fowler, who birdied two of the last four holes for a 69. Woods, who briefly led by one shot early in the third round, was alone in fourth at four under, recording four bogeys after the turn for a 73. Woods, who would draw level with Nicklaus in second place in the all-time standings with 73 PGA Tour wins should he triumph Sunday, totalled 32 putts in a frustrating round. “I had my opportunities to move up that board,” Woods said after covering the back nine in three-over 39. “I missed a few putts that I should have made.” Levin's best finish on the PGA Tour was a playoff loss to Johnson Wagner at last year's Mayakoba Golf Classic but his most painful was a third place at the Phoenix Open in February when he briefly led by seven shots early in the final round. Asked what he had learned from that experience, he replied: “People have been asking me that question, and I don't know yet. I'll be able to answer that tomorrow when I get done.” Lewis builds lead In New Jersey, Stacy Lewis carded a second-straight six-under par 65 Saturday to seize a six-shot lead going into the final round of the LPGA ShopRite Classic. Lewis, who shared the overnight lead with Japan's Mika Miyazato, had eight birdies to off-set a double-bogey six at the sixth hole. Her 36-hole total of 12-under par 130 matched the tournament record set by Amy Benz in 1996 and matched by Denise Killeen in 2004. Lewis had a comfortable cushion in the 54-hole event over Sweden's Anna Nordqvist, who posted a four-under 67 for 136. Nordqvist's six birdies included three in a row from the 11th. Paula Creamer and So Yeon Ryu, the last two winners of the US women's Open, were in a group on 137. Ryu carded a 67 on the Bay Course at the Seaview resort, while Creamer posted a 70. They were joined at five-under by Australian Katherine Hull, who posted a 66 and Spain's Azahara Munoz, who carded a 68. World No. 1 Yani Tseng was in a quartet of players on 138. The Taiwanese star carded a 67 and was tied with South Korea's Hee-won Han (67), Colombia's Mariajo Uribe (71) and Miyazato, who slipped back with a two-over 73.
