Memorial Tournament 2012: Spencer Levin Won't Blow Lead Again

Spencer Levin is all too familiar with the feeling of blowing a lead. He became one of six players to lose the largest 54-hole lead in PGA Tour history when he squandered a six-stroke advantage at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February.

Levin finished in third place in Scottsdale after he shot four over par in a final round which saw Kyle Stanley go for six under par and leapfrog Levin to win the tournament. No such thing will happen at the Memorial Tournament; Levin will be able to hold on to his current two-stroke lead over Tiger Woods and Rory Sabbatini.

The Sacramento, California native is winless in PGA Tour events but has put on an impressive performance at Muirfield Village thus far. He finished five under par in the first round, even in the second and three under in the third. He's currently eight under par heading into the back nine in the final round of the tournament.

His current score would be even better if he was not having such a hard time with the 16th hole. Levin's score has been marred by his inability to save par, shooting a combined plus four on that hole alone. That's a little bit away in the final round, but Levin has looked very polished so far today. He made a couple of minor mistakes, but he hasn't paid for them and has seemed to figure the issues out.

Another thing working in his favor is the possibility that Woods may not be feeling so well during his comeback bid. Woods is reportedly battling the flu this weekend, and everybody knows how debilitating the flu can be. He looked much more ill yesterday than he does today, but only Tiger knows how he truly feels.

Levin's pitch-and-putt game has been on point thus far at the Memorial, which is key for a golfer to get in the lead and keep himself ahead. The University of New Mexico graduate showcased his pitch-and-putt skills in Round 3 on the fifth hole when he shot an eagle to move to three under par for the day.

He must be confident heading into the final stretch of the tournament as it seems he has already gotten passed the point where he could have blown the lead. After his birdie at the 10th hole, Levin held a four-shout lead, but after the 16th, he was up by only one. Following that potentially catastrophic circumstance, he was able to build on his lead, which currently sits at two strokes.

Levin didn't have a bad third round by any stretch of the imagination despite the less than ideal weather conditions. He'll have an easier time with Mother Nature in the final round of the Memorial and will be able to hold onto his lead, not allowing lightning to strike twice.