Whereas 54-hole chief Hideki Matsuyama seemingly made every part on the greens, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler couldn’t purchase a bucket.
That’s the reason Scheffler faces a seven-shot deficit going into the ultimate spherical of the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The reigning Masters champion misplaced 1.5 strokes on the greens, rating 61st among the many 70-player area on Saturday. He even expressed a uncommon burst of frustration on the twelfth gap, slamming the face of his putter into his hand after one other missed birdie strive.
Scheffler missed 4 birdie putts within 12 ft. He made solely 53 ft of putts general—with virtually half of that approaching the par-3 eleventh, the place he poured in a 24-footer for birdie. However that was the one putt Scheffler remodeled 5 ft.
“I did hit a few lips, however I didn’t really feel like I used to be hitting it too good,” Scheffler assessed.
“There have been occasions the place I felt like I used to be getting away with some stuff, hitting some good pitches, making some good saves, however I felt like I hit a number of lips at present. However yeah, it occurs.”
Nonetheless, he managed to put up a 1-under 69, a day that included 4 birdies and three bogies. But, if he needs to threaten Matsuyama on Sunday, he believes he has to present himself higher seems to be on the greens.
“Simply get the ball a bit bit nearer to the outlet and provides myself extra alternatives,” Scheffler added.
“At the moment I felt like, like I mentioned, I bought away with some stuff, so hopefully, clear it up a bit bit and provides myself a number of extra alternatives at present.”
Matsuyama holds a commanding five-shot lead over rookie Nick Dunlap, who sits in solo second at 12-under. Viktor Hovland, in the meantime, posted a 4-under 66 on Saturday to maneuver up the leaderboard to 11-under and into solo third.
Then there may be Scheffler, who has made huge comebacks earlier than. He trailed Xander Schauffele by 5 strokes at The Gamers Championship and fired an 8-under 64 to win by one. Then, Scheffler carded probably the greatest rounds of his profession in Paris, capturing a 9-under 62 to beat a four-shot deficit to win the gold medal.
However seven may very well be an excessive amount of to beat. That mentioned, Scheffler stays optimistic about his possibilities since TPC Southwind has 11 holes with water in play.
“It’s a golf course the place there’s alternative and there’s a number of hassle,” Scheffler mentioned.
“It’s going to be powerful to shut it out on the again 9. There’s a number of water coming down the stretch. So attempt to get off to a superb begin, and Hideki is clearly taking part in some improbable golf, however do my finest to place a bit little bit of stress on him and see what occurs.”
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. Make sure you take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.
