Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) holds a one-shot lead after the third round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship ($20 million) on the Professional Golfers of America ( PGA Tour ).
Matsuyama shot a 6-under 64 with one eagle, five birdies and one bogey on the third day of the tournament at TPC Southwind (par-70, 7,243 yards) in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, on Monday (Sept. 18).
With a three-round total of 17-under par 193, Matsuyama holds a five-stroke lead over second-place Nick Dunlap (USA) and is looking for his 10th Tour victory in six months since the Genesis Invitational in February.
With his victory at the Genesis Invitational in February, Matsuyama became the most decorated Asian player on the PGA Tour, surpassing Kyung-Joo Choi (eight wins), and will become the first Asian player to reach the 10-win plateau if he wins this event.
He will become the Masters champion in 2021 and the first Asian to win a men's major.
Matsuyama, who was tied for the lead after the second round, was in fine form throughout the day, including a 4.5-meter eagle putt on the par-5 third hole.
Matsuyama, who won a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics , had his caddie and coach's passports stolen while traveling from France to the US, and was unable to accompany them to this tournament, but he still managed to build a five-stroke lead.
World No. 1 Scotty Schauffler (USA) is tied for fourth at 10-under 200, seven shots behind the leader.
Ahn Byung-hoon was the highest-ranked South Korean player at 3-under-par 207, tied for 31st.
The tournament is the first round of a playoff that will feature only the top 70 players on the 2024 FedExCup points list.
After this event, only the top 50 players will qualify for the second round of the playoffs, the BMW Championship.
Byung-hoon Ahn, who entered the playoffs in 12th place in the FedExCup standings, effectively secured his spot in the second round.
Kim Joo-hyung Kim, who was tied for 13th in the second round, dropped three shots on the day to finish at 2-under par 208 and tied for 39th.
Kim, who began the tournament ranked 43rd in the FedExCup, must at least maintain his current position to advance to the second round.
Lim Sung-jae is tied for 45th at 1-under par 209 and Kim Siwoo is tied for 58th at 1-over par 211.
In the FedEx Cup standings, Lim is ranked ninth and Kim is 38th, which is good enough to advance to the second round of the playoffs. 메이저사이트