Hideki Matsuyama carded 68 at Sheshan International Golf Club on Saturday to remain three shots out in front at the WGC-HSBC Champions.
The world number 10 made no drops in the third round and coasted to 17 under par after 54 holes, having shot rounds of 66, 65, and now 68.
History in the making.
Hideki Matsuyama is aiming to become the first Japanese winner of a WGC event. ?? https://t.co/MBhxR8gLuT
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 29, 2016
Matsuyama was three strokes clear of defending champion Russell Knox, who also shot 68, while Daniel Berger was sole third on 13 under par.
Francesco Molinari and Bill Haas rounded out the top five as they shared fourth place on 12 under par, followed by Rickie Fowler and Ross Fisher in a tie for sixth place.
Dean Burmester had a wobble in his third round when he bogey five out of six holes around the turn, but dug deep to make birdies at the 14th and 16th before signing for 74.
His limiting of the damage was crucial to his tie for 24th place going into Sunday, when the WGC debutant has a big cheque in sight.
Friends Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen both joined a tie for 33rd place on one under par, with the Masters champ carding level-par 72 and The Open champ three under par 69.
