Hideki Matsuyama tops congested Phoenix Open leaderboard

The Japanese star signed for a three under 68 in the third round at TPC Scottsdale, enough to take him 13 under for the tournament, one shot ahead of the chasing pack. Fellow countryman Ryo Hisatsune is in that pack, along with Maverick McNealy, Si Woo Kim and Norway's Nicolai Hojgaard.

Matsuyama enjoyed playing alongside Hisatsune in the final group on Saturday, but the latter's bogey on the 18th meant that it won't happen again on Sunday. Matsuyama failed to get up-and-down from near the green on the short par-4 17th and left a 15-foot birdie putt hanging on the lip at 18.

"Kind of a first today for Japan to have two Japanese pros play in a final group," Matsuyama said through a translator.

"I was hoping we could do it tomorrow, but, again, I hope tomorrow just to play well and stay on top."

Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler, who opened with a disastrous 73 on Thursday, has come roaring back with rounds of 65 and 67 to gve himself half a chance heading into Sunday. The world number one is five shots back.

"Going to need a special round," admitted the American.

"I'll be starting on the front nine tomorrow, so if I can get out there and make a few birdies on the harder nine and get some momentum going into the back, you never know what can happen."