Matsuyama leads the Phoenix Open, but Scheffler lurks: Golf Duel!

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Hideki Matsuyama leads the Phoenix Open after a standout performance on Saturday, despite some missed opportunities on the final holes. The Japanese golfer, with a round of 3 under par (68), is positioned at the top with a one-stroke lead. Matsuyama expressed his excitement about playing alongside compatriot Ryo Hisatsune in the final round, longing to repeat the experience. However, a bogey by Hisatsune on the 18th hole thwarted that possibility. Matsuyama’s performance could be threatened by the presence of Scottie Scheffler, who is in a promising position after climbing the leaderboard for the second consecutive day. Scheffler, after a hesitant start, achieved a round of 67 on Saturday, getting within five strokes of Matsuyama. Scheffler, with experience in comebacks, will seek to repeat his victory at the 2022 Phoenix Open.

I’m going to need a special round. I’m going to go out on the front nine tomorrow, so if I can go out and make some birdies on the more difficult nine and get some momentum for the back nine, you never know what can happen.

Scottie Scheffler

Matsuyama, despite not playing well from close to the green on the 17th hole and leaving a 15-foot birdie putt on the edge of the hole on the 18th, finished with a total of 13 under par (200).

Nicolai Hojgaard and Maverick McNealy also stood out, with rounds of 65. Si Woo Kim, for his part, achieved an eagle on the 3rd hole and joined them at 12 under par.

There are many players up there who will be fighting, so I just need to play well.

Hideki Matsuyama

Hisatsune, after a remarkable round of 63 in the second round, was in a favorable position for the final round. However, he couldn’t maintain the pace in the first half of the course. Matsuyama had birdies on three of his first four holes, but also made bogeys on holes 2 and 5. Hisatsune, for his part, failed to take the lead, completing the first half of the course in par. Matsuyama regained the lead with a birdie on the 10th hole and another on the 13th, but finished with five consecutive pars. Hisatsune also achieved a birdie on the 10th and another on the 17th, but a mistake on the 18th relegated him.

I’m happy to be at minus one, so ready for tomorrow.

Ryo Hisatsune

A change in his grip on the club spurred Scheffler, who had his first birdie on the 8th hole and achieved consecutive birdies on the 10th. Despite some setbacks, Scheffler feels comfortable with his game.