Jason Dufner bounces back to win the Memorial

DUBLIN, Ohio- Daniel Summerhays shot a 4-under 68 that took him from a five-shot deficit to a three-shot lead Saturday in the Memorial. And then he played his best golf on the back nine, and kept his composure during two rain delays, to close with a 4-under 68 and win by three shots.

India s Anirban Lahiri fired a seven-under 65 to finish in a tie for second with American Rickie Fowler, who shot 70.

Tournament founder and host Jack Nicklaus was on scene after Dufner’s heroic putt to congradulate the champion. Native Ohioan Jason Dufner dominated the Memorial Tournament for the first 36 holes, opening in consecutive 65s to move to 14 under – a tournament record score through two rounds – and a five-shot lead. All of it added up to just his second PGA Tour victory since winning the 2013 PGA Championship. The last five winners coming into the week were all top 10 in strokes gained on approach shots, and Dufner continued that trend by finishing No. 1 even with a negative strokes gained on Saturday. “And I feel like I did that today”. It was a three-shot swing when Summerhays made birdie, and Dufner never caught up.

Dufner drove into the right rough, and after the second storm delay of the afternoon, chopped out, wedged onto the green, and drained his 32-foot, 7-inch par putt, pumping his fist.

The Victorian, who missed the cut at his Tour debut at Pebble Beach Pro Am in February, sits 11 shots back of leader Jason Dufner.

Hadley made a 1 1/2-putt to win after Hadley missed a 3-foot par try. But I felt like I played pretty well every week this year.

Dufner matches the second-highest third-round score from an eventual victor in a non-major PGA Tour event since 1983.

This time around, at Muirfield Village, Dufner got things together. I was hoping that we could get through with just one.

“I didn’t want to celebrate too much because Rickie is my guy”, Dufner said, “and I didn’t want to rub it in too much”. I think the one thing that also helps it gives me something to think about other than my stroke or holing this putt or the situation I’m in. He ended with a three-stroke lead. Daniel Summerhays, who took a three-shot lead into the final round and was seeking his first career PGA Tour win, shot 78 and finished six shots back. It took me almost ten years to get out here.Not only did he beat a stellar field, but Dufner got the best of Chief Leatherlips.”I actually felt good out there, I honestly did”, Summerhays told the Golf Channel. He missed the putts he had been making for two days.

“I’m excited to have another chance here”, Kuchar said.

“I’ve been working on my breathing a lot, to be honest with you, ” Dufner said.

Mickelson said he had notified the US Golf Association (USGA) of his decision well in advance so that the organising body as well as his replacement would not be caught off guard.