Dufner rekindles magic to win weather-hit Memorial

JASON DUFNER continued his assault on the weather-hit Memorial Tournament yesterday, rebounding from a dreadful 77 to close with a 4-under 68 and win the PGA Tour event by three strokes.

Dufner clinched the win by saving par on No. 18 with an incredible 30-foot putt from the middle of the green.

“Those 30 footers are a little easier for me than the three footers,” Dufner joked after his win.

Dufner’s 13-under 275 total gave him his fifth career USPGA Tour victory as he survived two rain delays yesterday including one that lasted 77 minutes and another which hit while he was playing his final hole.

Dufner, who won the 2013 PGA Championship, shot back-to-back 65s to take a five-stroke lead into Saturday’s third round.

But a horrendous four-hole bogey stretch beginning on No. 2 was all it took to derail his third round.

So he began the fourth round four shots adrift of Daniel Summerhays.

“Obviously yesterday wasn’t my best day,” Dufner (pix) said. “I was pretty disappointed, especially with how well I played the first two days when I thought I was in good control. “I had to get over it quick. It is a 72 hole tournament. I knew I was still in the mix. I just had to get myself together.

“Making the turn at even was good. Then I felt comfortable to get aggressive on back nine.”

India’s Anirban Lahiri fired a 6-under 65 to finish in a tie for second with American Rickie Fowler, who shot 70. – AFP