Casey’s on course for a final day shot at glory

GREAT Britain’s Paul Casey is two shots off the pace going into the final day of the men’s golf, with American Xander Schauffele leading by one from Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama at the Tokyo Olympics.

Ireland’s Rory McIlroy is three back at 11 under par after a third-round 67.

Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood shot a superb seven-under-par 64 to move to 10 under, alongside Ireland’s Shane Lowry.

Casey (above) bogeyed 14 but finished with successive birdies to reach 12 under par on a stacked leaderboard.

That came after the 44-yearold carded four birdies on the front nine at Kasumigaseki Country Club.

“Credit to everyone who has set up the golf course this week. They played around with a lot of tees and if you don’t birdie holes like six, you feel like you’re going backwards,” said Casey.

“I made a great par save on eight after burying it under the lip [of the bunker]. After that, I just went flat and couldn’t get anything.

“I went from tied to the lead to tied for sixth without doing a single thing. I made a bogey but then a couple of birdies on the last couple have got me back into things.”

Casey, who is based in Arizona, also said he has had no problems with the heat and humidity in Japan, but added: “It would be nice to have a day of no thunderstorms.”

World number five Schauffele also birdied the last for a threeunder round of 68 that keeps the American hopeful one clear in the gold medal position at 14 under par.

Fleetwood kept his medal hopes alive with his best round of the tournament so far, making nine birdies and two bogeys to move four shots off the lead.

“It has been my goal for a very long time and my Olympic dream is still alive, and that’s a beautiful thing really,” he told BBC Sport.

“Being at the Olympic Games, being around the athletes and having the support of Team GB, feeling like I am supporting them - it has been inspiring, it’s been motivating, I have really loved it.”