Justin Rose is on course to win the Memorial Tournament in Ohio after a third-round six-under 66 left him three shots clear of the field going into Sunday’s final round.

The 2010 champion and world number six birdied the second, before firing three in succession from the fifth, while his only blemish of the round came at the ninth when a wayward drive resulted in a bogey.

However Rose responded well with further birdies at the 11th, 14th and 15th which took him clear of the field as he rounded things off with three pars.

Afterwards Rose said: “It was one of those days where everything sort of went my way. I had nice yardages, hit good shots, and I think I stayed patient at certain times. There’s certain pin placements out there that you need to respect.

“It was good. I putted well at times and kept the whole thing on track today.”

Rose sits on 15-under 201 for the tournament with second-round leader David Lingmerth having to settle for joint-second after posting an even-par 72 with Francesco Molinari, who carded a three-under 69, sitting alongside him.

Jim Furyk stands alone in fourth place at 11-under 205 following a round of 70 on Saturday.

It was a nightmare day for former world number one Tiger Woods who carded a 13-over-par 85 – the worst score in his PGA Tour career – to sit 12 over for the tournament.

Meanwhile Rose is 21.00 to use his form from the Memorial Tournament by claiming the US Open at Chambers Bay from June 18-21.