Im Picks Up the Baton as Matsuyama Fades

Kiawah Island, South Carolina, United States: Im Sung-jae remained in contention for PGA Championship glory as Hideki Matsuyama’s bid for back-to-back Major successes faded over Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course.

Korean Im fired a third-round one-over-par 73 and was left to rue bogeys at the final two holes of one of the most demanding closing stretches in golf.

Nonetheless, with a 54-hole total of one-under 215, Im will enter the final round in a share of 10th place, six strokes off the pace being set by 50-year-old Phil Mickelson.

For much of day three, Matsuyama, who became Japan’s first Major winner at last month’s Masters Tournament, was on the first page of the leaderboard.

But the two-time former Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship winner’s hopes of adding to his Augusta National triumph evaporated over a four-hole stretch on the back nine.

After dropping shots at 11 and 12, Matsuyama found trouble in the waste bunkers on 13 where he ran up a double-bogey six. He suffered another bogey at the par-three 14th after missing the green with his tee shot.

A five at the 18th meant he signed for a 76 that saw him fall from equal fourth place at the half-way stage to joint 23rd on 217.

Of the other Asians who made the cut, Chan Kim (73, 222) and An Byeong-hun (77, 225), both from Korea, are tied 58th and 75th respectively.

Cam Smith carded a 73 and shares 33rd place on 218, while fellow-Australian Lucas Herbert struggled to a 77 and is alongside An in joint 75th.

Smith and Herbert are both former Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship participants.