A double-bogey on the 18th hole cost Hideki Matsuyama the stand-alone day-two lead in the Paris Olympics men's golf tournament on Friday, leaving him in a three-way tie for first at 11-under.
The final-hole catastrophe at Le Golf National meant he shot a 68 on the day to sit tied with reigning Olympic champion Xander Schauffele of the United States and one of his playing partners from Thursday and Friday, Briton Tommy Fleetwood.
"I'm glad I was able to finish in a good position," the Japanese 2021 Masters champion said. "When the wind blows it's tough, and something like the last hole can happen, so I have to be well prepared."
Fleetwood shot a 64 on Friday and Schauffele a 66, the same score as two-time major champion Jon Rahm of Spain who is fourth at 9-under.
Japan's Keita Nakamura came in with his second straight 70 and is in a tie for 30th.
On the 18th tee with a one-stroke lead, Matsuyama pushed his drive wide right into the deep Le Golf National rough. With his ball buried, he was only able to hack out into the light rough, leaving him a difficult approach to a green surrounded by water.
When his iron came up short and wet, he had to get up and down for double-bogey, which he did by holing an uncomfortably long putt.
Only a bogey from Fleetwood on the same hole allowed Matsuyama, who shot seven birdies on the day against two bogeys and the double, to retain at least a share of his lead from Thursday.
Schauffele said he felt 5-under is a good score at Le Golf National, and he is comfortable with his game going into the final two rounds.
"When you're in good form, all of us know that it's all about just making the correct decision and executing the shot, and rinse-and-repeating that process," the two-time major champion said.
"So, don't let too much bother you, and if you do hit a bad shot, it's easier to accept it because you know you're playing really good golf, and you can make it up somewhere else."
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