After 3 rounds of the PGA Tour's very 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 only bogey.
Because the start of this competition, Matsuyama's putter has actually been among his finest clubs in the bag. Saturday's round saw him rank No. 10 in the field in strokes acquired, putting at +1.804.
He leads the field through 3 rounds of play, getting practically 7 strokes (+6.893) on the putting green alone. He is likewise No. 1 in strokes got overall (+14.142 ).
“I did put a brand-new putter in the bag, and it's been acting extremely well,” Matsuyama stated after his round on Saturday. “I've had the putter for a while, and I believed it may be an excellent week to debut that putter. I may alter putters this evening even.”
It is a Scotty Cameron putter, however he did not understand precisely what design.
Matsuyama began his round with a birdie on the very first however spent his only shot of the day on No. 2.
The par-5 3rd was a big momentum booster for the 2024 Bronze medalist. He landed his 2nd shot 14 feet, 11 inches from the hole, and sank the putt.
“It was extremely essential,” he stated. “Got the momentum back and after that continued with the round. That was huge.”
His putting is a substantial aspect, however his technique video game has actually assisted him simply as much. He is No. 2 in strokes gotten through 54 holes, getting +6.849 shots.
The Japanese golf player is entering into Memphis after his bronze efficiency in Paris, and it appears he is peaking at the ideal minute this season.
It has a lot to do with lastly feeling healthy.
“I do not understand if that has anything to do with the outcomes,” Matsuyama stated about being healthy. “Again, ideally, we can continue and do the very same. We have excellent and bad days, however today I played well, and once again. Ideally, that will rollover to tomorrow.”
While the eagle at No. 3 enormously improved his self-confidence, conserving par on 17 may have been the most crucial shot of the day.
Matsuyama made an extraordinary up-and-down to establish the par conserve.
TPC Southwind is not playing simple. The wind provides gamers a lot to think of, however for Matsuyama, it does not trouble him.
“The course does play harder, specifically in the wind,” Matsuyama stated. “It is drying. I'm unsure what the condition is going to be tomorrow, however ideally, I can prepare well for it and do the very same.”
Matsuyama holds a five-shot lead over solo 2nd location, and PGA Tour novice Nick Dunlap sits at 12-under general. He shot a 4-under 66 to go up 4 areas on the leaderboard.
