Branden Grace made himself part of the conversation on Saturday in the third round of the ZOZO Championship at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan with a third round of three-under-par 67.
That took him to five-under-par for the tournament, five shots behind the lead held by Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama. Matsuyama carded a two-under 68 to maintain a one-stroke lead over Cameron Tringale. Sebastian Munoz of Colombia, England’s Matt Wallace and American Brendan Steele were in a share of third, one ahead of Grace who was in a share of sixth with Tommy Fleetwood.
Grace made four birdies and a bogey to edge a little closer to Matsuyama who is doing his best to give the home fans in a tournament that was won in 2019 by Tiger Woods for his last PGA Tour victory before his accident.
Erik van Rooyen had a three-over 73 in the third round to slip to a share of 32nd in the 78-man field, and Shaun Norris, fresh off his win in the Japan Open Golf Championship, had a two-over 72 to be two-over for the tournament in a share of 36th.
Garrick Higgo followed his poor second round of eight-over 78 with a two-over 72. At 10-over for the tournament, he’s in a share of 72nd. Zimbabwean Scott Vincent also had a third-round 72 to be in 59th.
