Hideki Matsuyama fired a third-round 68 and will enter Sunday’s finale of the ZOZO Championship holding a one-shot lead over Cameron Tringale.
On Saturday, through the first 17 at Narashino Country Club, the reigning Masters champion held a three-shot advantage, but a bogey on the par-5 finishing hole, coupled with a birdie by Tringale, resulted in a two-shot swing.
Despite the late hiccup, Matsuyama was pleased with his round.
“I think I played well under these tough conditions,” said Matsuyama, who leads the field with 44 (of 54) greens hit.
“I’m happy to be leading and will do my best tomorrow.”
He continued, “It won’t be easy, but I want to get myself prepared to play well tomorrow.”
Tringale, who also carded a 68, sits solo second on 9 under, and will be paired again with Matsuyama on Sunday.
“Yeah. Well, overall happy with the day,” said Tringale, who is seeking his first career PGA Tour title. “It was really tricky out there with the wind and as fast as the greens and everything, it was not an easy day out there, so 2 under, pretty good score.”
Sebastian Munoz (68), Matt Wallace (70) and Brendan Steele (70) were tied for third on 6 under, one clear of Branden Grace (67) and Tommy Fleetwood (70).
2021 ZOZO Championship
Leaderboard: Top 10
Pos-Player-To Par-(Rd 3)
1. Hideki Matsuyama -10 (-2)
2. Cameron Tringale -9 (-2)
3. Sebastián Muñoz -6 (-2)
3. Brendan Steele -6 (E)
3. Matt Wallace -6 (E)
6. Branden Grace -5 (-3)
6. Tommy Fleetwood -5 (E)
8. Collin Morikawa -4 (-3)
9. Adam Schenk -3 (-2)
9. Mackenzie Hughes -3 (-1)
9. James Hahn -3 (E)
9. Alex Noren -3 (+1)
Notables
13. Joaquin Niemann -2 (+3)
36. Rickie Fowler +2 (+1)
36. Xander Schauffele +2 (-2)
66. Will Zalatoris +8 (+3)
Tee Times, Pairings
9:17 p.m. – Hahn, Noren, Hughes
9:28 p.m. – Fleetwood, Morikawa, Schenk
9:39 p.m. – Steele, Grace, Wallace
9:50 p.m. – Matsuyama, Tringale, Munoz
