Masters day three: Hideki Matsuyama out in front after weather-affected Saturday

By Phil Casey, PA Golf Correspondent
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama produced a brilliant 65 to open up a four-shot lead after the weather-affected third round of the 85th Masters.
Following a 78-minute delay due to a thunderstorm, Matsuyama fired an eagle and four birdies to cover the back nine at Augusta National in just 30 shots and take a massive step towards his first major title.
The first bogey-free round of the week left Matsuyama on 11 under par, with halfway leader Justin Rose, Xander Schauffele, Marc Leishman and Will Zalatoris all on seven under.
Aided by a hole-in-one on the sixth, Canada’s Corey Conners is five shots off the lead on six under, with 2015 champion Jordan Spieth another stroke back following a 72.

Tweet of the day

Relatable from Hideki ?#TheMasters pic.twitter.com/cMz4RJy2SJ

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) April 10, 2021

Hideki Matsuyama revealed what “inspired” his back nine of 30 following the weather delay.

Quote of the day

“My wife always says how pretty the azaleas are,” Patrick Reed said. “Well, I don't find them that pretty because I keep being in them." https://t.co/9EElI3IYiD

— Augusta.com (@AUG_Masters) April 10, 2021

Former champion Patrick Reed reveals he is not as impressed as some with Augusta National’s famous azaleas.

Shot of the day

? Ace Alert ?
Just the sixth hole-in-one ever at 6 courtesy of @coreconn ?#TheMasters pic.twitter.com/2GfJ5yah5W

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) April 10, 2021

Corey Conners made just the sixth hole-in-one on the sixth hole in Masters history.

Worst shot of the day

There is something deeply satisfying about this. https://t.co/VChp5zDGbj

— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) April 10, 2021

Justin Thomas was still in contention when he stood over an 80-yard pitch to the 13th, but dumped his ball into Rae’s Creek and ran up a triple-bogey eight.

Round of the day

pic.twitter.com/qb3n3kg6TK

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2021

Hideki Matsuyama returned from the rain delay in inspired form and came home in 30 for a brilliant 65.

Statistic of the day

Significance of making a move today: 84 straight major championships have been won by a player inside the top-10 through 54 holes.
Last from outside the top-10: Paul Lawrie, 1999 Open.

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 10, 2021

Bad news for anyone hoping to make a final-day charge.

Easiest hole

The par-five eighth to an average of just 4.389, yielding two eagles, 29 birdies and not a single bogey.

Toughest hole

The seventh hole played to an average of 4.556, with just two players making birdie as it played to a total of 30 over par.

Weather forecast

A cold front will move through near midday on Sunday, keeping a chance of a few showers in the forecast before 2pm before the sunshine and dry weather returns for the rest of the day. Any thunderstorms are expected to remain south and east of Augusta. Southwest winds turn west for the final round at 10-15 mph with some higher gusts during the afternoon hours.