Matsuyama maintains narrow advantage at Phoenix Open as Scheffler stays close behind

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Hideki Matsuyama expressed his excitement about playing alongside fellow Japanese golfer Ryo Hisatsune in the final pairing at the Phoenix Open and hoped for a repeat performance.

However, Hisatsune’s bogey on the 18th hole ended that possibility.

Matsuyama may have larger concerns with top-ranked Scottie Scheffler in close pursuit.

Despite some missed chances late in the round, Matsuyama recorded a 3-under 68 to secure a one-shot lead on Saturday.

“It’s a bit of a first for Japan to have two Japanese professionals in the final group,” Matsuyama stated through a translator. “I was hoping we could do it again tomorrow, but I just aim to play well and maintain my position.”

He will need to, as Scheffler climbed the leaderboard at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course for the second consecutive day.

After a shaky opening round that put him at risk of missing his first cut since 2022, Scheffler followed up a second-round 65 with a 67 on Saturday, narrowing the gap to five shots.

He has experience in this scenario, having come back from nine shots down to win the 2022 Phoenix Open, marking his first PGA Tour victory.

“I will need a special round,” he remarked. “I’ll be starting on the front nine tomorrow, so if I can make a few birdies on the tougher nine and build some momentum heading into the back, anything can happen.”

Chasing Matsuyama may prove challenging.

The Japanese golfer was unable to get up-and-down from near the green on the short par-4 17th and left a 15-foot birdie attempt on the edge at 18, yet he concluded the day at 13-under 200.

The two-time Phoenix Open champion was tied with Hisatsune after 17 holes but took the outright lead into the final round after Hisatsune failed to get up-and-down from the greenside bunker, resulting in a bogey on 18. Hisatsune finished with a score of 70, totaling 12 under.

Nicolai Hojgaard recorded five birdies in his last six holes to finish with a bogey-free 65. Maverick McNealy also shot 65, featuring a stretch of four birdies in five holes on the back nine. Si Woo Kim made an eagle on the par-5 third hole, finishing with a score of 66 to join them at 12 under.

“There are many players at the top who will be competing, so I just need to perform well,” Matsuyama noted.

Hisatsune shot a 63 in the second round, moving ahead of Matsuyama by one stroke and setting up a third-round “dream” final pairing with the player who has inspired numerous young Japanese golfers.

Neither player found much success on the front nine.

Matsuyama made birdies on three of his first four holes, including a 27-footer over a swale on the par-3 fourth. He also recorded bogeys on Nos. 2 and 5 when he was unable to get up-and-down, making the turn at 1 under 34.

Hisatsune struggled to gain momentum as well, finishing the front nine at even par with two birdies and two pars.

Matsuyama birdied the par-4 10th hole and added another with a two-putt on the par-5 13th to take the lead at 13, but concluded with five consecutive pars.

Hisatsune also birdied 10 and successfully got up and down on the short par-4 17th to tie for the lead before missing an 8-foot par putt on 18.

“I’m pleased to be at minus-1, so I’m ready for tomorrow,” Hisatsune said through an interpreter.

A grip adjustment improved Scheffler’s performance following a shaky 73 in the first round.

Scheffler secured his first birdie on the par-4 eighth and made a bunker shot at No. 10 for the first of two consecutive birdies. He followed a three-putt bogey on the par-3 12th by getting up and down for birdies on the two back-nine par 5s, 13 and 15.

However, he then stalled.

Scheffler missed a birdie attempt on No. 16, was unable to get up-and-down from pin high on the par-4 17th, and missed another birdie on 18.

“I feel very comfortable with where I am and how my game is progressing,” he stated.

This could pose a challenge for the rest of the competitors, even with him five shots behind.