Matsuyama seizes Masters lead with bogey-free 65

AUGUSTA: Hideki Matsuyama unleashed an incredible back-nine shotmaking display to seize a four-stroke lead after Saturday’s third round of the Masters at Augusta National.

Matsuyama, trying to become the first Japanese man to win a major title, fired a seven-under par 65, his career-low 18-hole Masters total and the first bogeyfree round of the week, to stand on 11-under 205 after 54 holes.

England’s Justin Rose, Australian Marc Leishman and Americans Xander Schauffele and Will Zalatoris shared second on 209.

Rose, the 2013 US Open champion and a two-time Masters runner-up who led by one when the day began, needed a long par putt at 18 to salvage a second consecutive level par 72.

“I didn’t play well enough today, simple as that,” said Rose.

Matsuyama adapted as lightning-fast Augusta National was softened by rain, taking full advantage by going six-under in a sevenhole stretch of the back nine.

After a 78-minute storm delay, swirling winds vanished and the wet course was receptive. However, slowed greens became tricky to read – except by Matsuyama.

“After the horn blew for the restart, I hit every shot exactly the way I wanted,” Matsuyama said through a translator.

The 29-year-old from Sendai, who had already birdied the par4 seventh hole, sank 10-foot birdie putts at the par-4 11th and par-3 12th holes.

Matsuyama dropped his approach at the par-5 15th six feet from the hole and made the eagle putt to seize the outright lead.

Matsuyama then landed his tee shot inches from the cup and tapped in for birdie at the par-3 16th and holed a six footer for birdie at the 17th to reach 11-under with a three-shot lead.

World No 25 Matsuyama found a fairway bunker at the 18th, then sailed a 7-iron 30 yards over the green.

With an uncanny touch, he rolled a chip to two feet and tapped in to complete an epic round.