A wild ride with two eagles and a double bogey – Xander Schauffele has maneuvered himself back into contention in the third round of the Baycurrent Classic and is now just four shots behind the lead. What a day on the course in Japan!
The defending champion displayed a true rollercoaster of emotions on Saturday, carding a 6-under-par 65 to finish the third round at 9-under overall. The front nine was eventful: After an opening bogey, the American followed up with two birdies and an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole. But anyone who thought that was all the drama was quickly proven wrong. A double bogey promptly followed on the next hole, only for him to sink another eagle on the par-5 sixth hole. Four more birdies and another bogey later, the incredible 65 was on the scorecard. "It was a strange day," admitted Schauffele, who won Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021. "There was a lot of good, but honestly, also a lot of really bad. But if someone had told me I'd shoot a 65, I would have taken it immediately."
At the top of the leaderboard ahead of the final day is a trio: Michael Brennan, Zach Bauchou, and Jacob Bridgeman share the lead at an impressive 13-under par. Bridgeman is hot on the trail of his third tour victory this year. The leading trio holds a one-shot advantage over the chasing pack, which also includes Australia's Adam Scott.
Things didn't go quite as smoothly for local favorite Hideki Matsuyama. The Japanese player, champion in 2021, is eight shots behind the leaders after an inconsistent 2-under-par 69. He started like a bullet train: Four birdies and an eagle in the first seven holes – he was playing very strongly! But the back nine became a real problem area. Five bogeys and only one more birdie undid much of the good work. "It was a mix of great golf and the worst golf," analyzed the 2021 Masters champion. "It wasn't that I played absolutely terribly on the back nine. It was small things, so I just need to make a few minor adjustments so that doesn't happen again tomorrow."
Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth is also still in contention, albeit six shots back after a 3-under-par 68, placing him at 7-under par overall. Spieth is chasing his first tour victory since April 2022. Collin Morikawa, the 2023 champion in Japan, is at 4-under par and also hopes for a comeback. Tomorrow's final day thus promises maximum excitement. The course will be on fire!
