Xander Schauffele is tied atop the leaderboard with Jon Rahm ahead of the final round of the men's Olympic golf tournament as the American looks to win back-to-back gold medals.
Shauffele is making his second appearance at the Games after winning the Open Championship two weeks ago and continued his excellent form at Le Golf National.
The Californian was a three-way lead at 11-under, but shot a 3-under 68 highlighted by an eagle on the 5th 14th to best his playing partners Tommy Fleetwood and Hideki Matsuyama on Saturday. .
Rahm, playing in the front group, produced his second consecutive round of 66 that included his seventh birdie of the day on the 17th to reach 14-under.
Fleetwood will join a highly successful duo in the final round on Sunday after combining for three birdies and two bogeys to stay one stroke off the leaders.
FAN FAVORITE FLEETWOOD IS STILL ON THE HUNTING
The Englishman enjoyed strong support from the French crowd, capitalizing on his popularity as a member of the 2018 Ryder Cup winning team in Paris.
“We're definitely a different crowd than what we're used to,” he said. “It's an Olympic crowd and the atmosphere was amazing. I always consider myself very lucky to have the support and connections I do but this has been great. Playing the Olympics, being in contention and having this support; it's the things you dream about. If you don't enjoy this, what does it mean?”
Fleetwood's Team GB member Matt Fitzpatrick fared less well, dropping to a third-round 81, then pulling out of the tournament with an injured thumb.
“I feel for Fitz,” Fleetwood said. “The Olympics is something very special. Going out with injuries is part of the game but it's a bad time for it to happen.”
At the bottom of the leaderboard, but still in contention, Nicolai Højgaard has enjoyed a round of the week so far as he matched the course record 62 with a bogey-free total that included an eagle and seven birdies.
That moved the Dane into fourth on the leaderboard alongside Japan's Matsuyama, who lost his pursuit of an Olympic medal with a level-par 71.
RORY CONTINUES
World Nos.1 and 3 Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, respectively, are both poised to make a run on Sunday as they play their way into contention after separate rounds.
While Scheffler racked up six birdies and two bogeys in a flurry of rounds, McIlroy enjoyed his first flawless score of the week as he carded a five-birdie 66.
Thomas Detry and Tom Kim also sit at 10-under – four back – after carding 69s. Ludvig Åberg, Jason Day and Joaquin Niemann round out the top 10 a shot back and will need very low rounds on Sunday if they want to claim the medals.
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