After three rounds of the PGA Tour’s first playoff occasion, the FedEx St. Jude Championship, Hideki Matsuyama holds a five-shot benefit.
He signed for a 6-under 64 with 5 birdies, an eagle and one lone bogey.
Because the begin of this event, Matsuyama’s putter has been one in every of his greatest golf equipment within the bag. Saturday’s spherical noticed him rank No. 10 within the discipline in strokes gained, placing at +1.804.
He leads the sector by way of three rounds of play, choosing up virtually seven strokes (+6.893) on the placing inexperienced alone. He’s additionally No. 1 in strokes gained whole (+14.142).
“I did put a brand new putter within the bag, and it’s been behaving very effectively,” Matsuyama mentioned after his spherical on Saturday. “I’ve had the putter for some time, and I believed it is likely to be a great week to debut that putter. However I’d change putters tonight even.”
It’s a Scotty Cameron putter, however he didn’t know precisely what mannequin.
Matsuyama began his spherical with a birdie on the primary however coughed up his solely shot of the day on No. 2.
The par-5 third was an enormous momentum booster for the 2024 Bronze medalist. He landed his second shot 14 ft, 11 inches from the opening, and sank the putt.
“It was crucial,” he mentioned. “Bought the momentum again after which carried on with the spherical. That was large.”
His placing is a big issue, however his strategy recreation has helped him simply as a lot. He’s No. 2 in strokes gained by way of 54 holes, choosing up +6.849 pictures.
The Japanese golfer is coming into Memphis after his bronze efficiency in Paris, and it appears he’s peaking on the proper second this season.
Nevertheless, it has rather a lot to do with lastly feeling wholesome.
“I don’t know if that has something to do with the outcomes,” Matsuyama mentioned about being wholesome. “Once more, hopefully, we will keep it up and do the identical. We’ve good and unhealthy days, however in the present day I performed effectively, and once more. Hopefully, that may carry over to tomorrow.”
Whereas the eagle at No. 3 massively boosted his confidence, saving par on 17 might need been a very powerful shot of the day.
Matsuyama made an unimaginable up-and-down to arrange the par save.
TPC Southwind isn’t enjoying straightforward. The wind offers gamers rather a lot to consider, however for Matsuyama, it doesn’t trouble him.
“The course does play tougher, particularly within the wind,” Matsuyama mentioned. “It’s drying out. I am undecided what the situation goes to be tomorrow, however hopefully, I can put together effectively for it and do the identical.”
Matsuyama holds a five-shot lead over solo second place, and PGA Tour rookie Nick Dunlap sits at 12-under total. He shot a 4-under 66 to maneuver up 4 spots on the leaderboard.
They are going to tee off within the ultimate group at 1:40 p.m. ET on Championship Sunday.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By. For extra golf protection, observe us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You may also observe her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
