SAITAMA – Xander Schauffele of the USA leads hometown favorite Hideki Matsuyama after 54 holes in the men’s Olympic golf competition at Kasumigaseki Country Club. Schauffele followed his torrid second round (63) by shooting 35-33-(68) in R-3 with five scattered birdies along with a bogey on each side.
Japan’s Matsuyama made seven straight pars on the back nine Saturday before breaking the par-streak with a much-needed birdie on No. 17. He had bogeyed No. 1 but played well to stand one off the lead.
South Korea’s Sungjae Im had the best round of the day, shooting (63) and is T-17.
The English pair of Tommy Fleetwood (64) and Paul Casey (66) (competing as Great Britain) moved into contention Saturday. Casey stands at (-12) and is T-3 heading into Sunday’s final round while Fleetwood moved up 15 places and is (-10) and T-9.
First round leader Sepp Straka of Austria shot a (68) and remains in medal contention T-5 at (-11).
Olympic Leaderboard After 54 Holes (Partial Scores):
Xander Schauffele (USA) 68-63-68—199 (-14)
Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) 69-64-67—200 (-13)
Paul Casey (Great Britain) 67-68-66—201 (-12)
Carlos Ortiz (Mexico) 65-67-69—201 (-12)