Hideki Matsuyama shot a 6-under 64 Friday to move into a tie for the lead with Denny McCarthy of the United States at the midway point of the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
The Japanese golfer, fresh off his bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, carded seven birdies against a lone bogey at TPC Southwind to reach 11 under at the first of three PGA Tour playoff events.
Matsuyama continued to excel on the greens, needing just 26 putts. He rolled in from 26 feet on the sixth hole, 17 feet on the ninth and 33 feet on the 11th.
"There were putts that I didn't expect to go in, and that helped improve my score," the 2021 Masters champion said. "I think I read the greens properly. I'm in a good position, so I want to keep going."
The hot weather in Memphis, Tennessee, has also worked in his favor, with Matsuyama saying it is "good for my lower back."
McCarthy shot a 63, as did fellow American Sam Burns who sat alone in third at 10 under. Scottie Scheffler, who won gold for the United States at the Paris Olympics, was fourth, two shots off the pace after a bogey-free 65.
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