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Rose closes in on leader Goggin at Memorial tournament

01/06/2008

Justin Rose has closed the gap to leader Mathew Googin in the Memorial tournament in Ohio, but still trails the Australian by three shots heading into the final round.

Rose is in a group of five players tied for second place overnight, along with Kenny Perry, Mike Weir, Matt Kuchar and Jerry Kelly, who are all on five-under-par.

Goggin is out on his own on eight-under after carding a third round of 71. After starting the day level with Perry at the top of the leaderboard Goggin mastered the windy conditions to improve his score and claim the outright lead.

He made two birdies in the first three holes as he repeated the success he has had on the early part of the course for a second day.

Goggin made bogeys at the eighth and 14th holes but another birdie at the 15th helped him maintain his advantage over the rest of the field.

The 33-year-old is still looking for his maiden victory on the PGA tour but believes he should clinch that in Ohio with the three-shot lead he currently holds.

He said: "Three shots in front, I expect to win. You're going to have to play well, but the bonus is you're not leading the tournament because you played poorly."

Rose will hope to pressurise Goggin during the final round. The Englishman made a strong finish to his round to put himself back in contention for the title.

The day had started badly for Rose, making two bogeys, but two birdies before the turn helped him turn things around.

He made another bogey at the 14th but followed that up with an eagle at the 15th and a birdie at the 16th to finish with a round of two-under.