Hideki Matsuyama Charges Into the Lead at the Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The third round of the Masters tournament began Saturday with a gusting wind that bedeviled the field and seemed to make the firm, already crusty Augusta National Golf Club greens more parched, speedy and vexing.

Then, just before 4 p.m., a rainstorm with the potential for thunder and lightning sent the golfers scurrying to the safety of the clubhouse. After a 78 minute suspension of play, players returned to a golf course that was far more forgiving with dampened, significantly slower greens. The wind had all but disappeared.

Sensing the reprieve, many in the field attacked.

Leading the charge was Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, who shot a sparkling 65 by playing his final eight…