Stewart and Couples Share Lead at Rainy Memorial Tournament

Payne Stewart came back from a lengthy rain delay with birdies on his last three holes Friday and tied Fred Couples for the lead in the Memorial tournament’s unfinished second round at Dublin, Ohio.

Stewart said he made a small adjustment in his putting stance during the 3-hour 32-minute interruption of play and converted that change into a share of the lead when he returned to the soggy Muirfield Village Golf Club course late in the afternoon.

Birdies on the three holes he had left to play completed a six-under-par 66 and put Stewart through the tournament halfway point at 135. Couples matched that nine-under-par total with a 68.

When play was held up by rain and lightning at 12:58 p.m. EDT, it marked the fourth consecutive Memorial marred by a weather delay.