In an exciting turn of events at the WM Phoenix Open, Hideki Matsuyama has taken a slim one-shot lead after completing his third round. However, he should keep an eye on England's Matt Fitzpatrick, who is just two strokes behind and ready to make a significant push on the final day.
Matsuyama concluded the day with an impressive three-under-par score of 68, although he experienced a near miss with a 15-foot birdie attempt on the 18th hole, which could have extended his lead.
The 33-year-old Japanese golfer, a two-time champion of the Phoenix Open in 2016 and 2017, found himself in a tie with fellow countryman Ryo Hisatsune earlier in the round. However, he seized the lead when Hisatsune encountered a bogey on the 18th, finishing just a stroke behind Matsuyama.
Hisatsune now shares second place with Nicolai Hojgaard, Si Woo Kim, and Maverick McNealy, all tied at that position.
On the other hand, Fitzpatrick sits on 11-under-par, just a shot further back in a four-way tie alongside American competitors Michael Thorbjornsen, Jake Knapp, and Akshay Bhatia, making the race for the title even more thrilling.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler showcased his prowess with a third-round score of 67, placing him five strokes off the lead. This performance keeps him in contention for his 21st PGA Tour victory and second of the year, following his success at the American Express event in January. Scheffler draws motivation from a remarkable turnaround four years ago when he triumphed after being nine shots adrift.
"I've always believed you can't really find your game during tournament week, but yesterday I discovered something about my grip that helped me secure my hold on the club better," Scheffler explained to PGATour.com on Saturday. "I played much better today; there were moments yesterday when I felt lost, but today I had a clearer control over my game, as reflected in my scorecard."
Don't miss the thrilling conclusion of the WM Phoenix Open, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf starting at 5 PM on Sunday. Coverage will also be available on Sky Sports Main Event from 8 PM. For those looking to watch without commitment, streaming options are available through NOW.
