OPEN CHAMPION CAMERON Smith moved to within striking distance of leader JJ Spaun heading into the final round of the FedEx St Jude Championship as he seeks to become world number one for the first time.
The Australian, who has refused to deny intense speculation he is joining the Saudi-backed breakaway LIV Golf at the end of the season, shot a 67 to sit just two behind Spaun.
Spaun maintained his place at the top of the leaderboard for the third round in a row after a couple of late birdies retained his advantage at 13 under.
He leads by one from Austria’s Sepp Straker but there is a growing threat from the group in joint-third where Smith was joined by Will Zalatoris – runner-up at the US PGA and US Open this year – after an impressive 65 and Trey Mullinax, who shot 66.
Shane Lowry, the sole remaining Irish competitor in the field, is 10 shots off the pace on three-under par after shooting 71 on Saturday.
But all eyes will be on Smith on Sunday as he seeks to reach another landmark.
“That would mean a lot. I mean, that’s what we’re all here to do,” said Smith on the possibility of overtaking Scottie Scheffler at the top of the rankings.
“One of my goals, probably since the start of the year, is to try to get to that top spot and I’ll try to chase it down.”
Both Spaun, world 98 and Valero Texas Open champion and Straka, February’s Honda Classic winner, are seeking to become the ninth multiple winner on the PGA Tour this season.
US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick remains in contention four shots back after a 67 lifted him to nine under and into a share of eighth place.
Victory in Memphis guarantees the winner a place East Lake for the season-ending Tour Championship, where a €17.5 million ($18m) bonus is up for grabs for the winner of the FedEx Cup.
