Hideki Matsuyama claimed a one-shot advantage at the Phoenix Open after shooting a 68 in the third round, bringing his total to 13 under par. Despite narrowly missing a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, Matsuyama maintained his lead going into the final round of the tournament held in Arizona.
Competition Tightens Among Top Contenders
Matsuyama, a two-time champion, had been tied with fellow Japanese player Ryo Hisatsune, but Hisatsune’s bogey on the 18th hole dropped him back to even par for the round and tied him with Nicolai Hojgaard and Si Woo Kim, all three sitting just one stroke behind the leader. Meanwhile, world number one Scottie Scheffler posted a 67, closing the gap to five shots as he searches for a comeback.
Scheffler Adjusts Grip to Improve Performance
Scottie Scheffler spoke on his improved form during the third round, explaining,
“I’ve always been a proponent of saying you can’t really find it during the tournament week, but I found a little something in my grip yesterday that seemed to really help me get my hands more securely on the club,”
according to PGATour.com. Reflecting on his progress, Scheffler added,
“Struck it much better today. Felt a bit lost out there at times yesterday, so today felt a lot better. Felt more in control of my game. You can obviously see that through the cleaner card today.”
Anticipating the Final Round Drama at Phoenix
With Hideki Matsuyama leading by a slim margin over a strong field including Ryo Hisatsune, Nicolai Hojgaard, and Si Woo Kim, the final round promises intense competition. Scottie Scheffler’s momentum after his third-round improvement could also shake up the leaderboard, making the conclusion of the Phoenix Open pivotal for the contenders and an exciting moment for golf fans worldwide.
