Watson in Position to End Long Drought

DUBLIN, Ohio —  Tom Watson, conjuring up memories of past triumphs at Pebble Beach, Turnberry and Augusta, charged to a six-under-par 66 Saturday to hold off Ernie Els for a one-stroke lead through three rounds of the Memorial tournament.

Not since 1987 has Watson won a tournament on U.S. soil. But relying on his usual deft touch around the greens and a confident putting stroke, Watson put himself in position to break that 141-tournament drought.

His 66, coming after rounds of 70 and 68 at Muirfield Village Golf Club, left him at 12-under 204.

Watson, winner of five British Opens, two Masters and a U.S. Open among 40 victories around the world, didn’t have a bogey and birdied three of the last five holes.

Included in that string was a dramatic blast into the cup from the huge bunker fronting the par-four 17th. Watson narrowly missed a short but twisting birdie putt on the closing hole. As he left the green, he was met by a raucous ovation from the large gallery.

Els--at 26, 20 years younger than Watson--shot a 68, but lost his share of the lead when he flew the green at the par-three 16th and missed a long putt for par. At 17, he saved par after blasting out from almost the same spot from which Watson holed his shot.

John Huston, who broke the course record with a stunning 61 in the second round, shot a 71 to stand at 10-under 206. Joining him was Paul Stankowski, winner of the BellSouth Classic in April, who shot a 67.

No one else was within four shots of Watson, who won the 1979 Memorial.

Six players held the lead at one time or another before Watson took control.