Aug 1 (Reuters) - American Troy Merritt fired a 10-under-par 61 to soar into first place early in the third round of the Quicken Loans National on Saturday as tournament host Tiger Woods spluttered with a faulty driver.
Merritt, looking for his first PGA win in his 96th start, carded five birdies in a row out of the gate, then added a four-birdie run from the 12th as he led in the clubhouse on 14-under 199 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia.
Japan's Ryo Ishikawa was only one shot back through seven holes, a stroke ahead of Charles Howell III (through nine holes), Kevin Chappell (8) and Rickie Fowler (7).