Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama held a one-stroke lead over Collin Morikawa of the United States after the third round of the PGA Tour’s season-opening Sentry tournament on Saturday.

Matsuyama matched the day’s low round with a bogey-free 62 and got to 27 under for the event at Kapalua Golf’s par-73 Plantation Course on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

The 10-time winner on the tour, who took the lead a day earlier, picked up five birdies on the front nine before adding six more on the back. Morikawa also shot an 11-under 62, making nine birdies and an eagle.

“Collin played well, and I just kind of followed him,” Matsuyama said.

Asked to comment on his tee shot on the par-4 17th hole that went right and bounced off the cart path, Matsuyama said, “I didn’t think it (the ball) was going to be there, so I’m glad I went down and it was there.”

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (L) and Collin Morikawa of the United States shake hands after their third round at the PGA Tour’s season-opening Sentry tournament at Kapalua Golf’s Plantation Course in Hawaii on Jan. 4, 2025. (Kyodo)

Matsuyama managed to par the 17th before finishing his round with a birdie.

“I just have to play my game and play my best,” the 2021 Masters champion and Paris Olympics bronze medalist said.

Belgium’s Thomas Detry (65) and South Korea’s Im Sung Jae (62) placed third at 22 under and fourth at 21 under, respectively.

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