Schauffele closes in on leaders after 'weird' round in Japan

Yokohama, Japan - Double major winner Xander Schauffele is four shots off the lead at the Baycurrent Classic after a peculiar round on Saturday. The defending champion posted a 6-under-par 65, finishing the third round 9-under in total. Schauffele experienced a roller-coaster front nine in sunny conditions, starting with a bogey before hitting two birdies and an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole.

He continued with a double bogey on the following par-5, followed by another eagle and four more birdies before adding a bogey on the back nine. Schauffele acknowledged the round as a mix of excellent and poor shots, but expressed satisfaction with his score. In the lead are Michael Brennan, Zach Bauchou, and Jacob Bridgeman, all three-under par.

Bridgeman aims for his third win on the tour this year, with Australia's Adam Scott and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama also in contention. Matsuyama, the 2021 champion in Japan, shot a 2-under-par 69, while three-time major winner Jordan Spieth is six shots behind at 7-under.