Collin Morikawa opens up SIX-SHOT LEAD at Sentry Tournament of Champions

Collin Morikawa is on the verge of his first win on the PGA Tour since the summer of 2021 after carding a superb 8-under 65 in the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

The two-time major champion, who is trophyless since winning The Open Championship at Royal St. George's, extended his narrow advantage from day two to six shots on 24-under by making six birdies and an eagle on the Plantation Course in Maui.

Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick and J.J. Spaun trail on 18-under. Morikawa will be hoping to eliminate the demons of his defeat at the Hero World Challenge in 2021 when he squandered a five-shot lead in the last round in Albany.

The 25-year-old entered the third round with a two-shot lead and he began well with an impressive eagle on the par-5 5th hole. He arrowed his approach from 185 yards to just 11 feet.

Heading into the week at Kapalua, there was much focus on his short game having recently started work with putting coach Stephen Sweeney and short game tutor Parker McLachlin.

Trading eagles @Sentry_TOC @Collin_Morikawa and Scottie Scheffler are locked in early. pic.twitter.com/Ny3Vyn05Ps

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 7, 2023

Morikawa almost gained two strokes in putting during the second round and his progress was clear again on the 6th and 9th holes on Saturday, boxing respective 19-foot and 10-foot putts.

At one stage during today's round, Morikawa led the field in strokes gained in putting, three-putt avoidance, putting average and the average distance of putts made.

He added four birdies in his last five holes, including an important one from 14 feet on the long par-5 18th hole to reach 24-under, just before Scheffler missed a shorter putt to cut the deficit to five shots.

Scheffler began day three two shots behind his 2021 Ryder Cup teammate and he also eagled the 5th hole. He added birdies on the 9th and 10th holes to reach 17-under and the Masters champion also holed a clutch par putt on the 13th hole from 12 feet to stay within three shots of the lead.

The Texan will be disappointed to miss the five-footer for birdie on 18, but he still scored a 69 and only needs a top-three finish to dethrone Rory McIlroy at the top of the world rankings.

Awesome shot, even better reaction @MaxHoma23 and @JustinThomas34 both thought this was going in @Sentry_TOC. pic.twitter.com/gJzVF6lzZb

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 7, 2023

Tom Kim made three birdies on the front nine to reach 14-under. He added another on the 11th hole before firing a superb approach to the par-5 15th hole. He rolled in a 25-footer for the eagle to move within four shots of Morikawa.

The 20-year-old recorded a 68 to reach 17-under. His jogger-wearing playing partner Fitzpatrick went two shots better with a 7-under 66. The Englishman is looking for only his second win on the circuit after securing the US Open title last year.

Max Homa had an eventful day in Maui with the low score of the field. The popular five-time Tour winner made five consecutive birdies from holes 12 to 16 on his way to shooting a staggering card of 10-under.

The 32-year-old was a foot away from making a stunning hole-in-one on the par-3 8th hole. As his ball finished just to the side of the cup, he was comforted by his playing partner and friend Justin Thomas.

Homa reached 16-under for the event, meanwhile, Jon Rahm made five birdies on the back nine to reach 17-under. The Spaniard finished one shot behind Cameron Smith at this event 12 months ago.

Sentry Tournament of Champions - Round three leaderboard

-24 C Morikawa

-18 S Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, M Fitzpatrick

-17 J Rahm, T Kim

-16 M Homa, S Im

-15 H Matsuyama, J Spieth, K.H. Lee, B Harman