Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama fired five birdies and two bogeys on Saturday at the WM Phoenix Open to close with a 3-under 68 and move into a one-stroke lead at 13-under.

Matsuyama has 12 made cuts in 13 starts at the event (withdrew with an injury after an opening-round 69 in 2018) and has never posted an over-par score on the weekend (23 rounds). He has 12 third-round scores in the 60s in as many attempts at TPC Scottsdale.

“It was a great day today,” said Matsuyama through a translator. “Kind of a first today for Japan to have two Japanese pros play in a final group. I was hoping we could do it tomorrow, but, again, I hope tomorrow just to play well and stay on top.

“I like this course because even if I miss a fairway I can still find my ball. Unless it’s in the cactuses.

“Having won here twice, it does help, but it’s a brand new tournament and there is a lot of guys there at the top that will be battling. So I just need to play well.”

Matsuyama holds his ninth career 54-hole lead/co-lead on Tour and is 5-for-8 in converting the 54-hole lead/co-lead to victory, including his last four attempts (2021 Masters Tournament, 2021 Baycurrent Classic, 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship, 2025 Sentry).

The 2016 and 2017 WM Phoenix Open champion seeks to join three-time winners Mark Calcavecchia, Gene Littler, Phil Mickelson and Arnold Palmer.

Matsuyama has the most wins by an Asian player on the PGA Tour (11) followed by Korean K.J. Choi (8).

Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard carded a bogey-free 65 for a share of second place at 12-under alongside American Maverick McNealy who made two bogeys for his 65.

Overnight leader Ryo Hisatsune of Japan fired four birdies and three bogeys for a 70 and a share of second place alongside Korean Si Woo Kim who made an eagle at the par-5 3rd as well as four birdies and one bogey for a 66.

World number 1 Scottie Scheffler of the USA made five birdies and one bogey for a 67 and lies in T16 at 8-under.

Aon Swing 5

The WM Phoenix Open is the final opportunity for players to earn FedExCup points towards the Aon Swing 5 to gain entry into each of the next two Signature Events (AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, The Genesis Invitational). The top five players, not otherwise exempt, who earn the most FedExCup points during the Sony Open in Hawaii, The American Express, Farmers Insurance Open and the WM Phoenix Open will qualify for those two events.

Projected Aon Swing 5 through R3: Ryo Hisatsune (T2), Pierceson Coody (T11), Jake Knapp (T6), Patrick Rodgers (T37), Matt McCarty (MC).

Related: Jack Buchanan wins the African Amateur Championship

The 21-year-old dominated the field at the Royal Johannesburg East Course with a 21-under-par total of 267