Hideki Matsuyama makes his move at The Open

2021 Masters Champion Hideki Matsuyama staged his fightback, surging 17 places to end the third round of his Open campaign in tied-34^th place with a three-under-par 68 on Saturday.

Also Read: Riki Kawamoto makes weekend cut on Open debut

After making the weekend cut right on the bubble, Matsuyama, started his round at Royal Portrush Golf Club with two straight pars. He bogeyed the par-three third but recovered quickly with three birdies in his next four holes to reach the turn in 35.

Matsuyama would par the next five holes before birdies on holes 15 and 17 saw him closed with a three-day total of two-under-par 211.

“I’m glad I matched my birdie count from yesterday. If I can hit better shots and make more putts tomorrow, I believe I can push into the top 10—that’s my goal,” said Matsuyama.

 

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Like Matsuyama, reigning JGTO money list champion Takumi Kanaya also made the cut on the number and made the most of the early benign conditions in the third round. Kanaya mixed five birdies with three bogeys en route to a two-under 69, climbing seven spots into a share of 44^th place.

“There was no wind and the greens were soft, so it was a good day for scoring. I couldn’t capitalise as much on the back nine, but I’m glad I still improved. Hopefully, I can keep it going tomorrow,” said Kanaya.

 

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Riki Kawamoto, meanwhile, had a round to forget after he struggled to a 77 which left him in 69^th place.

“I started with bogeys and kept pulling my shots left. On the eighth, I found my ball, but the three-minute search limit had passed — it was frustrating not being able to play it even though it was right there.

“It was probably an address issue, as even decent shots were going slightly left. I didn’t get to practise yesterday, but I’ll work hard today and aim to finish under par tomorrow,” said Kawmoto.

 

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World no. 1 Scottie Scheffler will take a four-shot lead into the final 18 holes. In his 24 major starts to date, Scheffler has won three times and enjoyed 12 other top-ten finishes.