Matsuyama Eyes Historic Third Phoenix Open Crown as Final Round Looms

Two-time WM Phoenix Open champion Hideki Matsuyama surged into sole possession of the lead heading into Sunday's final round after shooting a steady 3-under-par 68 on Saturday at TPC Scottsdale. The Japanese star sits at 13-under 200 through three rounds, holding a narrow one-stroke advantage over a group of four challengers that includes Nicolai Højgaard, Maverick McNealy, Si Woo Kim, and fellow countryman Ryo Hisatsune, all sitting at 12-under par. Matsuyama's positioning carries extra significance given his perfect record of converting 54-hole leads into victories.

Matsuyama's Saturday round showcased the consistency and composure that has defined his stellar career. The 34-year-old navigated TPC Scottsdale's challenging layout with precision, avoiding the big numbers that have derailed other contenders throughout the week. His performance builds on an exceptional second round where he rattled off six consecutive birdies to shoot 64 and seize control of the leaderboard. That birdie streak demonstrated the kind of momentum-building golf that has made Matsuyama one of the tour's most dangerous frontrunners.

The statistical narrative surrounding Matsuyama entering Sunday's final round is remarkable and adds immense pressure to the chasing pack. In his career, Matsuyama has never lost a tournament when holding the solo lead after 54 holes, converting all five previous opportunities into victories. This perfect closing record makes him the overwhelming favorite to capture his third Phoenix Open title, which would tie him with several legends of the game at this iconic desert venue. The raucous atmosphere at TPC Scottsdale, particularly around the famous 16th hole stadium, provides a unique challenge that Matsuyama has proven capable of handling.

Chasing Matsuyama will be no easy task for the quartet sitting one shot back. Højgaard, the talented Danish player, has shown flashes of brilliance but will need a career-best performance to overcome Matsuyama's frontrunning prowess. McNealy has been knocking on the door of his first PGA Tour victory and sees this as a golden opportunity, while Kim brings major championship experience from his 2022 Players Championship win. Hisatsune represents another Japanese threat and could push his countryman in what might become a fascinating final-round battle.

Further down the leaderboard at 11-under, Matt Fitzpatrick, Michael Thorbjornsen, and Jake Knapp remain mathematically in contention but will need Matsuyama to falter while posting exceptionally low numbers themselves. The course setup for Sunday typically allows for aggressive play and low scoring, meaning that nothing is decided until the final putts drop. However, recent history and Matsuyama's demonstrated ability to close tournaments when leading makes him the clear favorite to hear his name called as champion come Sunday evening.

The WM Phoenix Open represents one of the PGA Tour's most popular and well-attended events, with massive galleries creating an atmosphere unlike any other regular tour stop. For Matsuyama, a third victory would cement his status as one of the tournament's modern greats and provide crucial momentum heading into the season's first major championship at the Masters in April. His combination of ball-striking excellence, strategic course management, and proven closing ability makes him the player to beat as Sunday's final round unfolds under the Arizona sun.