Little-known Kazuki Yasumori is just 18 holes away from not only shooting himself into stardom but also playing his way to the Open Championship.
The 25-year-old will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open after carding a two-under-par 70 at the JFE Setonaikai Golf Club on Saturday.
Yasumori, who has led since the first round, stayed composed, mixing three birdies with one bogey to reach 16-under-par 200. Takumi Kanaya, his nearest challenger on 14-under-par following a sizzling 65, is just two shots behind.
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Keita Nakajima, chasing his second Tour win, returned a 70 for sole third on 13-under overall, one ahead of Kosuke Suzuki, who carded a 71 to sit in fourth place.
Yasumori will also have to be wary of Mikumu Horikawa (66), Kensei Hirata (66), and Daijiro Izumida (68) as they are just five shots off the pace in joint fifth.
Yasumori has vowed to get the job done.
“I want to focus on my own play. Kanaya-san is just two shots back. I’ll need to head into the final round with a strong mindset and give my utmost best for the day,” said Yasumori.
“I have played with Kanaya-san in a practice round. He can hit the ball a bit farther than me. His putting is also good.
“I look forward to playing alongside him, but it’s also important that I don’t get influenced by his reputation.”
Kanaya will be pumped up in his pursuit of a second win this year after triumphing at the International Series Oman on the Asian Tour in February.
Kanaya is a three-time JGTO winner but has not won since the Token Homemate Cup in 2021.
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The top four finishers this week who have not yet qualified will earn their place in the fourth and final Major event of the year, to be played at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club from July 20-23.
The race for the top four is set to be an explosive affair, with as many as 17 players just five shots adrift of the fourth place currently occupied by Suzuki.
Among the international players pursuing their Major dream are Dylan Perry of Australia and Thailand’s Thanyakhon Khrongpha.
Perry shot a second consecutive 68 to be tied for 10th on 10-under-par 208, while Thanyakhon is just a further shot back in joint 14th following a 69.
