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Levin gets chance to atone in Ohio

3 minute read

After bombing a six-shot lead into the final round earlier this year at the Phoenix Open, American Spencer Levin has a chance to atone in Ohio.

American golfer Spencer Levin says he's not sure what he's learned from blowing a six-shot lead in Phoenix in February - but he's about to find out.

As Tiger Woods and the eight remaining Australians failed to break par in windy third round conditions in the US PGA tournament at Muirfield Village, Levin posted a three-under 69 to shift to eight-under par.

It moved the 27-year-old Californian to a one-shot lead over South African Rory Sabbatini (71) and left him three in front of Rickie Fowler (69) and four clear of Woods (73) who is fourth.

All eight Australians left in the tournament shot over par rounds with Aaron Baddeley the best of the bunch.

His 73 left him at two-under in a tie for eighth, still an outside chance at victory starting six back.

Woods has come from behind 20 times to win on the US PGA Tour but only four times from four or more shots.

He is chasing his 73rd win on the Tour, which would tie him for second all-time with tournament host Jack Nicklaus, chasing down Sam Snead's 82 career wins.

Woods, Baddeley and the rest of the chasers are all well aware of Levin's meltdown in Phoenix.

Levin seemingly had a maiden PGA Tour win in the bag with a six-shot lead after three rounds only to bomb to a 75, leaving him third, two back of eventual winner Kyle Stanley.

When asked what he learned on the Sunday in question Levin was, as always, brutally honest.

"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," he said.

Rather than be bogged down by nerves, as appeared the case in Phoenix, Levin said he was energised to be part of the final group once more.

"Obviously you want to win when you're in this position, but I'm just going to go out there tomorrow and have fun," he said.

"I'm excited. This is what I've dreamed of - to be in the lead of a tournament, especially Jack's (Nicklaus) tournament.

"All those years and all that work and practice is going to come down to tomorrow, and I'm just really fired up about it."

Greg Chalmers and Adam Scott started the day four off the lead but shot five-over 77s to drop to three over, joining Rod Pampling 11 off the pace.

Nick O'Hern (+5), Marc Leishman (+6), Robert Allenby (+8) and Geoff Ogilvy (+8) are well and truly out of contention.

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