Scottie Scheffler says he felt "really close to doing something special" after keeping himself in with a chance at the Phoenix Open after the third round.

A poor first round had left the world number one in with a chance of missing the cut, but he impressively fought back to avoid an early exit.

And he carded a four-under 67 in the third round to move to eight-under for the tournament, leaving him five shots behind leader Hideki Matsuyama.

Matsuyama – on 13-under heading into the final round – holds a one-shot lead over compatriot Ryo Hisatsune, who bogeyed the 18th to miss out on a shared lead.

It is tight at the top, though, with Nicolai Hojgaard, Si Woo Kim and Maverick McNealy all on 12-under alongside Hisatsune.

But Scheffler, who remains in the hunt for a 21st PGA Tour title, and second of 2026, will take inspiration from this event four years ago, when he won from nine shots back.

"I felt like I was really close to doing something special," Scheffler said.

"I've put myself behind the eight-ball, but that doesn't mean I'm out of the tournament necessarily.

ANNC: Scottie Scheffler needs something to happen fast

SCOTTIE: pic.twitter.com/kMVHJthfUn

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 7, 2026

"Overall, two solid days. Would have liked to have made a few more birdies coming in, but I did what I could.

"Struck it much better [on Saturday]. Felt a bit lost out there at times [in the second round], so felt a lot better. Felt more in control of my game."

Matsuyama finished the day on three-under, despite narrowly missing a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th.

He is looking to win the Phoenix Open for the third time, having also triumphed in 2016 and 2017, but he is proud to be able to play alongside Hisatsune on Sunday.

"Kind of a first for Japan to have two Japanese pros play in a final group," Matsuyama said.

"I was hoping we could do it."