Hideki Matsuyama ground out an even-par 71 on Saturday to drop three shots back in the men's Olympic golf tournament, as Spain's Jon Rahm carded a 66 to join American Xander Schauffele in the lead at 14-under.
Briton Tommy Fleetwood, who shared the overnight lead with Matsuyama and Schauffele at 11-under, came in with a 69 to hold third place outright, while Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard shot a blistering seven-birdie, one-eagle 62 to equal the course record held by his brother Rasmus and join Matsuyama at 11-under.
Matsuyama struggled with his ball-striking early, finding the water with his tee shot on the par-3 second which led to a bogey, then compounding his poor start with another dropped shot from a greenside bunker on the fourth.
The 32-year-old steadied to string together five pars before picking up three shots in the first six holes of the back nine to get to 1-under. But a dropped shot on 16, after missing a short putt, left him at even on the day.
"I was able to finish in a position where I have a chance (of the gold medal), so I want to do my best on the final day and play well," Matsuyama said.
Rahm, winner on the breakaway LIV Golf Tour just a week ago, was upbeat after his second straight 66.
"For this last month to be playing as good as I have and to slowly get better, get the win last week and give myself an opportunity this week as well, is very, very gratifying," the two-time major winner said.
Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who finished fourth at the Tokyo Games, and American world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler are still in contention at 10-under.
"I said over the past two days I made a few too many mistakes and that is why I am not further up the board," McIlroy reflected.
"But today, I was able to limit those mistakes and not have any bogeys and play another really solid round of golf to give myself a chance at a medal tomorrow."
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Olympics: Last-hole meltdown leaves Matsuyama sharing men's golf lead
Olympics: Hideki Matsuyama leads by 2 after men's golf opening round
