"We're a good team"- Hideki Matsuyama settles in with new caddie after regular caddie's passport fiasco leaves him stranded at FedEx St. Jude

Hideki Matsuyama was forced to play the FedEx St. Jude Championship with a new caddie after his regular caddie, Shota, lost his travel documents in a robbery last week. However, the golfer is doing well with fill-in bagman Taiga Tabuchi, as he leads by five shots heading into the final round.

Matsuyama fired a 6-under 64 on Saturday, August 17, to reach 17-under after three rounds. He now holds a five-stroke lead over Nick Dunlap after 54 holes and appears to be the clear favorite for another win this season.

During the post-round interview, Hideki Matsuyama spoke about his experience playing with a new caddie in Memphis.

"I do have a new caddie," he said. "You know it's always a learning curve when you have a new caddie and trying to work things out together. But it hasn't really affected my play. We're good team right now."

Last week, Matsuyama and his team were victims of a robbery in downtown London on their way back from the Paris Olympics. While the golfer didn’t lose much, his regular caddie, Shota, and coach, Mikihito Kuromiya, lost their travel documents.

Although Shota might return before the Tour Championship, the coach isn’t expected to join Matsuyama anytime soon.

---

When will Hideki Matsuyama tee off at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, Round 4?

Hideki Matsuyama is grouped with Nick Dunlap for the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The duo will begin play from the first hole on Sunday, August 18, at 1:40 pm ET.

The final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship will tee off at 7:45 am ET, with Max Homa and Jordan Spieth being the first duo to tee off.

While Matsuyama holds a comfortable five-stroke lead, rookie Dunlap is in second place. Defending FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland is in third at 11-under, while Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns are tied for fourth at 10-under.

Here's the leaderboard for the FedEx St. Jude Championship after the third round:

• 1. Hideki Matsuyama: -17
• 2. Nick Dunlap: -12
• 3. Viktor Hovland: -11
• T4. Scottie Scheffler: -10
• T4. Sam Burns: -10
• T6. Will Zalatoris: -9
• T6. Denny McCarthy: -9
• 8. Xander Schauffele: -8
• T9. Seamus Power: -7
• T9. Akshay Bhatia: -7
• T9. Matt Fitzpatrick: -7
• T9. Tony Finau: -7
• T9. Robert MacIntyre: -7
• T9. Billy Horschel: -7
• T9. Justin Rose: -7
• T16. Wyndham Clark: -6
• T16. Jason Day: -6
• T16. Tommy Fleetwood: -6
• T16. Brendon Todd: -6