Xander Schauffele is tied at the top of the leaderboard with Jon Rahm ahead of the final round of the Olympic men’s golf competition as the American looks to win back-to-back gold medals.
Shauffele arrived at his second appearance at the Games on the back of winning The Open Championship two weeks ago and has continued his excellent form at Le Golf National.
The Californian was part of a three-way share of the halfway lead at 11-under, but he shot a 3-under 68 that was highlighted by an eagle at the par-5 14th to outperform playing partners Tommy Fleetwood and Hideki Matsuyama on Saturday.
Rahm, playing in the group ahead, produced his second consecutive round of 66 that included a seventh birdie of the day at the 17th to also reach 14-under.
Fleetwood will join the major-winning duo in the final group on Sunday after he mixed three birdies with two bogeys to sit one stroke off the leaders.
FAN FAVOURITE FLEETWOOD STILL IN THE MEDAL HUNT
The Englishman enjoyed strong support from the French crowd, mining his popularity as member of the 2018 Ryder Cup winning team in Paris.
“It’s definitely a different crowd to what we are used to,” he said. “It’s an Olympic crowd and the atmosphere has been amazing. I always consider myself very lucky with the support and connections with people that I make but this has been great. To be playing the Olympics, to be in contention and to have this support; they are things you dream of. If you don’t enjoy this then what’s the point?”
Fleetwood’s fellow Team GB member, Matt Fitzpatrick, faired less well, slumping to a third round 81, and subsequently pulling out of the tournament citing an injured thumb.
“I feel for Fitz,” Fleetwood said. “The Olympics is something that’s very special. Pulling out for injury is part and parcel for the sport but it’s a horrible time for it to happen.”
Further down the leaderboard, but still very much in contention, Nicolai Højgaard enjoyed the round of the week so far as he matched the course record of 62 with a bogey-free total that featured an eagle and seven birdies.
That moved the Dane into a share of fourth on the leaderboard alongside Japan’s Matsuyama, who lost ground in his pursuit of an Olympic medal with a level-par 71.
RORY MAKES HIS MOVE
World Nos.1 and 3 Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, respectively, are both poised to make a Sunday run as they played their way into contention after contrasting rounds.
While Scheffler mixed six birdies and two bogeys in a round that fluctuated, McIlroy enjoyed his first flawless score of the week as he made five birdies for a 66.
Thomas Detry and Tom Kim also sit at 10-under – four back – after they carded a pair of 69s. Ludvig Åberg, Jason Day and Joaquin Niemann round out the top 10 a shot further back and will require very low rounds on Sunday if they are to make charge for the medals.
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