Justin Thomas leads Hideki Matsuyama by two

Justin Thomas is riding a wave of consistency to control the lead in the Tournament of Champions. Hideki Matsuyama is tapping on his heels as the two play together on Sunday.

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January 08, 2017: Justin Thomas will take a two shot lead over Hideki Matsuyama into the final round of the SBS Tournament of Champions. The talented Thomas kept it as steady as can be, producing a third straight 67 on Saturday. Thomas is at 18-under 201 through 54 holes in a field of 32 elite field of PGA TOUR winners. Hideki continued his rousing run of form with a brilliant 66 in to launch himself into the final group.

Thomas in control at Maui

The leader, Thomas took advantage of the spectacular conditions in Kapalua, Thomas wasted no time to make a mark. He made a hat-trick of birdies from the third hole to light up the Plantation course. A bogey at the 7th hole halted Thomas briefly. Three birdies on the return stretch were enough to clinch the lead.

“I feel like I’m to the point where I should be contending most of the weeks I play,” said Thomas about his outlook for 2017. And he has done just that this week.

Hideki Matsuyama retains momentum

Hideki Matsuyama is on a hot streak Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Hideki Matsuyama is on a hot streak
Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Matsuyama, winner in four of his last five starts, remains an unstoppable force. The Japanese started his round with back to back birdies at four and five. Matsuyama conceded a bogey at the 8th hole, but made amends immediately covering for the loss at the next hole.

Hideki made four birdies in six holes after the turn to climb up the order. He signed off in style, with a fine birdie at the last hole to end the day two short of the leader.

Three men lying four back

William McGirt, Jimmy Walker and Ryan Moore are all tied in third at 14-under 205. They made scores of 66, 70, 71 respectively on the par-73 Plantation Course.

The Tournament of Champions is a New Year celebration of all things good. The tournament is restricted to men who have won on the PGA TOUR in the previous season.

Ryder Cup hero Patrick Reed shot a disappointing 72 to follow his 65 on Friday. Reed dropped four spots to seventh place at 12-under 207.

US Open champion Dustin Johnson is seven off the pace in T8. The American has made scores of 69, 70, 69 in the three rounds so far in Hawaii this week.

Jason Day is working hard this week to shake off the rust from a 100 day break. He is lying outside the top 10 at 10-under 209. Defending champion Jordan Spieth continued to suffer an up and down ride, well outside contention at 8-under through 54 holes.

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