Love head 3- way St. Jude tie

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — U. S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III shot his third straight 2- under 68 on Saturday to join Nick O’Hern and John Merrick atop the leaderboard at the windy St. Jude Classic.

Love only committed to play in Memphis recently, waiting to make sure he was healthy enough to use this event as a final tuneup for the U. S. Open after qualifying Monday in Columbus, Ohio. Love, who hasn’t won since 2008, had three birdies and only one bogey Saturday to match O’Hern and Merrick at 6 under 204. O’Hern had a 67, and Merrick shot 69.

Rory McIlroy, who will try to defend his U. S. Open title next week at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, had a one- stroke lead when he teed off. He shot a 2- over 72 in a round that featured six bogeys and four birdies to drop in a tie at 5 under.

Dustin Johnson, making his second start after a 2 1/ 2- month layoff recovering from back pain, also was in the group at 5 under after a 67.

J. B. Holmes was in that knot atop the leaderboard going to No. 18, but hit his tee shot into a bunker and three- putted for a double bogey to finish at 4 under.

The 48- year- old Love took advantage of his experience and 20 PGA Tour wins to keep his ball out of the rough, giving himself better chances to score. He said he only hit driver a couple times, instead using his 3- wood or irons for strong tee shots leaving him plenty of wedge shots in hitting 14 of 18 greens.

Giulia Sergas, who shared the first- round but had a 76 on Friday in the wind- swept second round, moved back near the top with four birdies on the front nine and also finished with a 69. Sergas was tied at 2 under with Stacy Lewis, Suzann Pettersen and Inbee Park. Lewis, a two- time winner in her last three events, had a 70, Pettersen shot a 71, and Park had a 72.

Paula Creamer was at or near the top most of the day, but faltered at the end and finished with a 73. She was in a seven- way tie at 1 under.

Defending champion Yani Tseng had her best round of the three days, finishing with at 74 after a 76 and a 75.

Batters

STILL THE SAME: Davis Love III watches his shot from a bunker on the 18th fairway during the St. Jude Classic Saturday in Memphis, Tenn. Love shot his third straight 68, finishing the day tied with John Merrick and Nick O’Hern for the lead at 6- under-...