American Todd Baek produced a strong finish to stay within striking distance for his maiden JGTO title after the third round of the Kansai Open Golf Championship in Osaka on Saturday.
The 31-year-old was one-over-par through 13 holes at the Izumigaoka Country Club but fought back with birdies on the 14th, 17th and 18th holes to sign for a two-under-par 69 and lie four shots off the lead held by fast-rising Taiga Semikawa.
Related: Dylan Perry on track in pursuit of JGTO breakthrough
Baek’s effort saw him finish in a share for third on nine-under-par 204 with four others including Australia’s Dylan Perry, who carded a 70 after marking his scorecard with three birdies and two bogeys.
Baek, who’s been plying his trade on JGTO since 2019, is still seeking a breakthrough with his best finish to date coming in joint-runner-up at the Japan Players Championship by Sato Shokuhin in 2021.
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“I have a lot of chances but couldn’t make anything until the chip-in on 14,” said Baek, who’s a two-time ABEMA Tour winner.
“That kind of turned things around for me. Overall, it was a good play.
“I’m just four back and seems like the weather is going to be okay tomorrow.
“I’m just going to try to enjoy myself as I like the course. The course is also in good shape and I’ve been hitting the ball well.”
Round three was supposed to tee off at 8 am, but it was delayed for an hour due to heavy rain.
Perry is hoping that the skies would clear up tomorrow as he looks forward to making a big push for his first JGTO title.
“It’s very wet out here today, but the greens were doing well in the weather,” said Perry.
“I don’t think anyone like rain, so hopefully tomorrow there’s no rain and the course would dry overnight.
“Just four behind at the moment, hopefully, I can hit it a bit closer to give me more chances and see what happens.”
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Semikawa put himself on the brink of a third JGTO title after bouncing back from an early bogey to fire a sizzling 64.
He fired a total of nine birdies to open a three-shot lead over overnight leader Ryutaro Nagano, who could only muster a 71.
Semikawa, who only turned professional in November last year, is already a two-time winner on Tour.
He made heads turn last year when he won the Panasonic Open and Japan Open, both as an amateur.
