Hideki Matsuyama of Japan hits an approach shot on the 15th hole during the third round of the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, on Aug. 27, 2022. (Kyodo)
Hideki Matsuyama shot Saturday’s lowest provisional round, a 7-under-par 63 before wild weather interrupted play on Day 3 of the Tour Championship.
The 2021 Masters champion sank eight birdies and carded one bogey at Atlanta’s East Lake Golf Club to provisionally move up to ninth at 13-under after his third round of the FedEx Cup finale.
The PGA’s top 30 players started the tournament and were each awarded an advantage from 10 strokes to zero based on their
FedEx Cup points ranking. Matsuyama was among five golfers who started at 3-under, seven strokes behind point leader Scottie Scheffler.
Matsuyama began the penultimate round in 15th after carding 70 and 66 on the first two days, respectively.
“I was able to play well despite feeling flustered,” said Matsuyama, who has been dealing with neck and wrist injuries. “The most important thing is that I haven’t been in pain. I want to get through the last day without feeling pain.”
Scheffler remained the provisional leader at 19-under, completing 12 holes on Day 3 before the storm forced him back to the clubhouse.
Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Xander Schauffele was one stroke back in second through 12 holes of the third round, with South Korea’s Im Sung Jae third at 16-under after 14 holes on Saturday.
Defending champion Patrick Cantlay was among four players bunched one stroke ahead of Matsuyama in a tie for fifth.
The winner of the tournament will be crowned the tour champion and collect an $18 million bonus. The total prize pool of $75 million is the largest in tour history.
.