'Number 3' Ram "Withdrew after shooting 8 under par"..."Tested positive for COVID-19"

After Round 3 of the Memorial Tournament, 6-shot lead 'nullified', Cantlay and Morikawa leap to co-lead, Kim Siwoo tied for 6th place

Yon Rahm is watching the ball immediately after his tee shot on the 18th hole on the third day of the Memorial Tournament. Dublin, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] Jon Rahm (Spain), ranked 3rd in the world, was stopped from defending his title due to COVID-19.

And this happened even though he had taken a commanding 6-stroke lead. On the 6th (Korean time) at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, USA (par 72, 7,456 yards), during the third day of the PGA Tour Memorial Tournament (total prize money $9.3 million), Rahm surged with an 8-under-par round to take the top spot on the leaderboard (18-under-par 198 strokes). The PGA Tour reported, "Rahm was tested daily for COVID-19 after contact with a confirmed case, and was ultimately diagnosed positive right after the third round."

Rahm’s ‘perfect play’ on the day made the disappointment even greater. In the remaining 5 holes of the second round, he scored 2-under-par, and notably made a hole-in-one on the 16th hole (par 3, 183 yards) with an 8-iron, creating a sensation. In the third round, he continued his dominance with 9 birdies (1 bogey). His longest drive reached 333 yards, iron shots hit the green at a rate of 77.78%, and he complemented this with an average of 1.57 putts per hole, showcasing his precise putting. This is why Rahm covered his face in dismay.

Patrick Cantlay and Collin Morikawa (both USA) rose to a tie for first place (12-under-par 204 strokes). It is interesting that Morikawa was in the same group as Rahm the previous day. This means neither player can feel secure. Brandon Grace (South Africa) and Scottie Scheffler are tied for 3rd place (9-under-par 207 strokes), while Genesis Invitational champion Max Homa (USA) is in 5th place (6-under-par 210 strokes), eyeing his second victory.

The power hitter showdown between Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) and ‘The Hulk’ Bryson DeChambeau (USA) saw McIlroy ahead in a tie for 22nd place (1-under-par 215 strokes). DeChambeau, after struggling with a 1-over-par round, remained tied for 29th place (even par 216 strokes). From Korea, Kim Si-woo (26) is performing well in a tie for 6th place (5-under-par 211 strokes). Kang Sung-hoon (34) is tied for 29th, and Lee Kyung-hoon (30) is 67th (8-over-par 224 strokes). Im Sung-jae (23, both from CJ Logistics) and Choi Kyung-ju (51, SK Telecom) were cut off.