71
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Justin Thomas hit from the fifth tee during the third round of the Tournament of Champions today at Kapalua Plantation Course.
KAPALUA, Maui >> With one powerful swing, Justin Thomas drove the 14th green and made eagle to take control today in the SBS Tournament of Champions.
Thomas holed the 20-foot eagle putt and closed with a two-putt birdie from just short of the green on the par-5 18th for a third straight round of 6-under 67, giving him a two-shot lead over Hideki Matsuyama of Japan.
Matsuyama, who had eight birdies in his round of 66, has won four of his last five tournaments worldwide dating to Oct. 16 at the Japan Open. The only player to beat him during that amazing stretch was Thomas at the CIMB Classic at Malaysia.
This time, they will be in the final group at Kapalua.
Memorial winner William McGirt, one of 11 players playing the Plantation course at Kapalua for the first time, played bogey-free for a 66 and was four shots behind, along with Ryan Moore (71) and Jimmy Walker (70).
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