A slow-burning Olympic golf tournament roared to life on Saturday as American Xander Schauffele fought off attacks on all fronts to cling to a one-shot lead heading into the final round.
Overnight leader by a stroke, Schauffele was stalked relentlessly by playing partners Hideki Matsuyama and Carlos Ortiz at Kasumigaseki Country Club but he broke clear with a birdie on the 18th to card 68 for a 14-under total of 199.
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A stroke behind Schauffele, Japan’s Matsuyama drained a clutch putt for par on 18 to finish with a four-under 67, while Mexico’s Ortiz (69) held the bronze medal position alongside consistent Briton Paul Casey (66) after a bogey on the last.
The stage is set for a battle royale in Sunday’s final round, with nine players within four strokes of Schauffele, including former world number one Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy enjoyed a day out with Ireland team mate Shane Lowry, shooting a 67 to finish three strokes shy of Schauffele on 11-under.
Britain are prominent at the top of the leaderboard, with Casey’s team mate Tommy Fleetwood soaring into contention after an inspired 64.
Fleetwood racked up seven birdies in nine holes from the sixth to the 14th and is four behind Schauffele on 10-under alongside Lowry (68).
Australia’s Cameron Smith also raised his game on “moving day”, shooting a 66 to be nine-under, but British Open champion Collin Morikawa’s hopes of winning gold for Team USA faded.
The American rallied with a 67 to finish seven-under but he will need everything to go right on Sunday to reel in a seven-stroke deficit to his team mate Schauffele.
