AUGUSTA, Georgia (Kyodo) -- Japan's Hideki Matsuyama slumped to a 7-over 79 in the third round of the Masters Tournament on Saturday, all but ending the 2021 champion's quest to lift the trophy again this year.

The 33-year-old had moved five shots off the pace on Friday but went without a birdie during his disastrous penultimate round at Augusta National Golf Club, where he had five bogeys and a double bogey to finish 4-over -- 16 shots behind leader Rory McIlroy.

The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland, who is bidding to complete his career Grand Slam, tied the day's best score of 66 and moved to first at 12-under, two strokes ahead of second-place Bryson DeChambeau of the United States.

Corey Conners of Canada is a further two shots back in third and American reigning champion Scottie Scheffler is tied for sixth at 5-under.

Matsuyama hit the green in regulation on Nos. 4 and 6 but three-putted on both occasions for bogeys. He dropped another stroke on the seventh after he mishit his second shot into the adjacent hole.

The Japanese star, making his 14th Masters appearance, continued to have a forgettable outing on the back nine, concluding with a double bogey to finish a round of the tournament without a birdie for the first time.

"It didn't go well. I was waiting for a chance to come my way but instead I crumbled first," Matsuyama said. "The three-putts on the fourth and sixth really hurt."

"I will do my best (in the final round) to wrap with a good round of golf for the sake of next year."