By Gus Trompiz
GUYANCOURT, France (Reuters) – Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood made a steady start to the third round of the men’s Olympic golf competition on Saturday to stay at the top of the leaderboard, closely pursued by former Masters winner Jon Rahm of Spain.
Fleetwood, who again received loud support on a course where he has twice triumphed, notched up his second birdie of the day on the 10th hole to go 13-under par for the tournament in a bogey-free early performance.
Rahm, already in contention after a strong showing in the second round, was one stroke behind at 12 under by the 11th hole.
Fleetwood’s overnight co-leaders had mixed fortunes. Tokyo gold medallist Xander Schauffele of the United States was level-par for day to stay at 11 under overall while Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama dropped shots to slipped to 10 under.
The 60 contenders will all play four rounds in a stroke play format at Le Golf National southwest of Paris.
Amongst earlier starters on Saturday, Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard raced into contention by equalling the course record round with a nine-under-par 62 that put him on a total 11-under in tied-third place with Schauffele.
Australia’s Jason Day climbed to 10 under par as part of a chasing pack in tied fifth that also included world number three Rory McIlroy of Ireland.
U.S. world number one Scottie Scheffler, who this year claimed his second Masters Green Jacket, was a further stroke back to stay in the hunt for a medal on Sunday.
French fortunes continued in the same mixed vein as on Friday. Matthieu Pavon endured more misery, culminating in a triple bogey on the 18th that left him in last position at 10 over, while Victor Perez added to his strong finish on Friday to reach seven-under and keep his podium hopes alive.
(Reporting by Gus Trompiz; Editing by Alison Williams)
