MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Hideki Matsuyama felt his decrease again beginning to act up. On a whim, he determined to place a brand new putter in his bag for the beginning of the PGA Tour postseason. And now the Japanese star has a five-shot lead going into the ultimate spherical of the FedEx St. Jude Championship (click on right here for tee instances).
“I’m shocked,” Matsuyama stated by means of his interpreter, breaking into a giant smile when he added, “however I did play effectively immediately.”
He performed effectively sufficient for a second straight 6-under 64 that enabled him to tug away from a crowded subject and put loads of distance between him and Nick Dunlap.
Matsuyama rapidly atoned for an early bogey by drilling a 3-wood over the water to fifteen ft and making the eagle putt. He saved including birdies the remainder of the day in additional steamy climate and nobody may stick with him.
Denny McCarthy, who was tied for the 36-hole lead with Matsuyama, put 4 bogeys on his card earlier than registering his first birdie. Sam Burns had solely 5 pars — and a damaged driver — in his spherical of 70 to fall again. Scottie Scheffler misplaced floor with a number of suspect chips and was seven pictures behind after a 69.
“I felt like I received away with some stuff, so hopefully clear it up somewhat bit and provides myself much more alternatives,” Scheffler stated.
Scheffler was at 10-under 200 together with Burns, who slammed his driver to the bottom on No. 9 and the pinnacle broke off. He made double bogey to go along with 5 bogeys and 7 birdies. It was fairly a day.
Dunlap did his finest to remain shut and was inside three pictures till one wild drive too many. He went to this point proper on the twelfth that he cleared the water and landed on the opposite facet, after which managed to save lots of par. However he hit proper once more on the thirteenth in deep grass, couldn’t attain the inexperienced and took bogey.
He shot 66 and will probably be within the closing group, extending his outstanding run. A 12 months in the past, he was successful the U.S. Novice at Cherry Hills . He gained The American Specific in January as an newbie , turned professional, after which gained the Barracuda Championship final month.
“I must be taking part in the U.S. Am this week, and I simply received finished taking part in a spherical of golf with Scottie. It was fairly cool,” Dunlap stated.
Dunlap is amongst 5 gamers with a number of wins this 12 months and nonetheless was an extended shot to increase his season. He was No. 67 within the FedExCup as a result of he was an newbie for his first PGA Tour title and obtained no factors.
Even when he can’t catch Matsuyama, Dunlap has an opportunity to not solely be among the many prime 50 who advance to the BMW Championship subsequent week, however lock up a spot within the Tour Championship for the highest 30.
Matsuyama was at 17-under 193 and in place to seize his first FedExCup playoff occasion.
Dunlap amongst contenders at FedEx St. Jude
Nick Dunlap discusses his Spherical 3 exhibiting on the FedEx St. Jude Championship earlier than Johnson Wagner and George Savaricas break down the 20-year-old’s sturdy efficiency at TPC Southwind.
However this postseason opener was all about shifting on. The highest 50, together with attending to the following playoff occasion outdoors Denver, are assured of stepping into all eight of the $20 million signature occasions subsequent 12 months.
Viktor Hovland, the defending FedExCup champion who began this postseason at No. 57, took a giant step towards advancing with a 66. He was alone in third, six pictures behind.
“The ball is beginning to behave like I’m anticipating it to,” Hovland stated. “The misses are approach smaller than they was once. Earlier than they might be off the planet, whereas now it’s manageable and I could make a pleasant up-and-down or make an extended putt or no matter it’s.”
Jordan Spieth’s season successfully ended when he made two double bogeys in his spherical of 74, leaving him in 69th place towards a 70-man subject.
Will Zalatoris got here into the postseason at No. 49 and shot 67 on Saturday. He was tied for sixth and all however assured of staying effectively inside the highest 50.
Amongst these on the bubble to advance going into Sunday are Justin Rose and Adam Scott. Rose is No. 55 within the FedExCup and was tied for ninth after 54 holes on the TPC Southwind. He shot 71 on Saturday after making double bogey on the final gap. Scott is at No. 46. He shot 68 and was projected inside the highest 50 going into the final day.
Others projected to be simply inside the highest 50 embrace Harris English, nonetheless dealing with a foul again, and Phoenix Open winner Nick Taylor.
Rory McIlroy, who was seen taking part in tennis after his opening spherical in sweltering warmth on Thursday, had a bogey and two double bogeys after simply 4 holes Saturday. He shot 74 and was towards the underside of the pack. However he may afford a lackluster week having began at No. 3. He was projected to fall not more than a spot or two.
Matsuyama has three prime 10s in his final six begins, together with the bronze medal he gained on the Paris Olympics. Why change putters? He’s not likely certain.
“I’ve had the putter for some time, and I assumed it could be a great week to debut that putter,” Matsuyama stated.
He leads the sphere in the important thing placing statistic, gaining on common practically seven pictures towards the sphere. He additionally has 19 birdies and an eagle.
