(Memphis) JJ Spaun turned in a two-under 68 and did just enough late in the round to maintain his one-stroke lead at the St. Jude Championship on Saturday despite pushing a familiar name.
Posted at 9:09 p.m.
World No. 1 is at stake for Cameron Smith.
A British Open winner earlier in 2022, Smith birdied on the final hole to finish with a 67 and come within two shots of the leader.
Smith knows he will move up to No. 1 in the world rankings with a win this weekend.
“One of my goals since the start of the season has been to get to the top of the standings. I have to try to get it,” said Smith, who shares third with Will Zalatoris (65) and Trey Mullinax (66).
Spaun netted a birdie with two putts on the 16e green and added a birdie on the next hole, 18 feet away, en route to 197, 13 under par, after 54 holes.
Sepp Straka was side by side with Spaun until the 18the hole, but he was unable to play par and had to settle for a 68, leaving him one shot from the top.
The top Canadian after three rounds is Adam Svensson, who is tied for 29e echelon with six rivals with a cumulative score of 204, six under par. Corey Conners is hot on his compatriot with a shot.
Svensson and Conners both shot 67 on Saturday.