The Australian contingent at the US PGA Tour winners-only Tournament of Champions failed to make a move in the third round at the Plantation Course, leaving their tilt in tatters.
Sydney’s Matt Jones sits seven shots off the pace as the best-placed Australian after firing a respectable five-under-par 68. He is 10-under 209 and in a tie for 10th needing a miracle to threaten the lead held by 22-year-old Japanese young gun Hideki Matsuyama and American Jimmy Walker at 17-under 202.
After an opening-hole bogey, Matsuyama was sublime making eight birdies in his final 14 holes for a 66. Walker was five under on his round through 10 holes before stalling with seven straight pars and then making birdie on the last for a 67.
American Patrick Reed (68) and South Korean Sang-Moon Bae (69) share third place at 15-under 204, while Americans Brendon Todd (69) and Russell Henley (70) occupy fifth place at 14 under.
Jones, who has battled a virus all week and struggled to eat, jump-started his round with three consecutive birdies from the third to fifth holes and bounced back from an eighth-hole bogey with three back-nine birdies.
“I’m feeling better. I actually ate so that’s a good sign. I played well, I could have scored better but I’m happy with it and hopefully go lower tomorrow,” Jones said.
“I’ll have a crack tomorrow with my strategy for this golf course in mind, try to be aggressive and make some birdies and give myself a rough chance.”
Jason Day, who started the round four off the pace, battled a cold putter to a 71 leaving him nine under and tied 15th in the 34-man field.
The world No.8 was derailed by a bogey train on the front nine missing short par saves on the way to three bogeys on the trot.
“I just have to go out and play well tomorrow to bring some momentum into next week,” Day said.
“I have to hole some more putts and get the rust and sloppiness out of my short game if I am to be a consistent contender this year.”
Steven Bowditch shot 71 to move to six under and a tie for 25th, while Geoff Ogilvy struggled on the back nine on the way to a 74 leaving him tied 30th at four under.
