ZOZO: Last (Big) Pre-November Masters Tune-Up Primed For Fun Finish

A tradition we sincerely hope is unlike any other: the October run-up to a rescheduled Masters culminates for most players with the ZOZO Championship final round at Sherwood Country Club.

Normally we get the West Coast and Florida swings to build up to Augusta. This year, we have a collection of fall events that are not the usual building blocks to Augusta, though at this week’s ZOZO, a fun test rewarding all types of player.

The leaderboard heading into Sunday’s finale features several expected Masters leading contenders and any number of possible upstarts with a shot. Eleven players are within four strokes of Justin Thomas’s one-stroke lead over Jon Rahm (63).

Adding to the intrigue: cooler and breezier conditions forecast for Sunday at Sherwood, which nobly stood in as the host venue for the Japan-based event. After three days of fairly benign conditions, players may face a bit more on top of hoping to capture a PGA Tour title so close to the Masters.

Key notes from the PGA Tour:

• In search of his 14th PGA TOUR victory, Justin Thomas holds the 54-hole lead/co-lead for the 14th time in his PGA TOUR career

• World No. 2 Jon Rahm starts 6-under through his first seven holes en route to a 9-under 63, his fifth round of 63 or better in his PGA TOUR career

• Rahm seeks his sixth PGA TOUR title and third in the state of California

• Lanto Griffin birdies his first four holes to tie his 54-hole career low and sits two back through 54 holes

• Patrick Cantlay is bogey free through 54 holes

Third round highlights: