Yuta Suigura will head into the final round of this week’s Japan PGA Championship with a two-shot advantage over Taiga Semikawa after carding a third round seven-under-par 65 to maintain his position at the summit on Saturday.
Related: Taiga Semikawa maintains top spot in Japan PGA Championship
Having joined the paid ranks late last year, Suigura is looking for his professional breakthrough at the ¥150,000,000 event, which is held at the Fuji Country Kani club.
View this post on Instagram
The 22-year-old had already enjoyed a distinguished amateur career when he became the first-ever amateur and only seventh amateur winner in JGTO history to do so when he won the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament in November last year.
“I played really good golf today. My putting was excellent. Even the putts that didn’t go in, they were very close to the hole.” said Suigura, who traded eight birdies against one bogey for a three-day total of 18-under-par 196.
“It’s going to be unpredictable until the end. I cannot afford to let my guard down. So I hope to stay aggressive and win despite the heat.”
View this post on Instagram
Suigura will have to be wary of Semikawa, who is determined to stage a fightback after losing his share of the lead in the penultimate round.
The 23-year-old, a four-time JGTO winner, enjoyed blemish-free rounds for the last 36 holes but lost that proud record after dropping a shot on his closing 18th hole, which also left him frustrated.
View this post on Instagram
“I wanted to set a bogey-free record and finishing without any bogeys in 54 holes would have been a confidence boost. I don’t want to lose to anyone, regardless of their age. Last year, I had several second-place finishes, and I hope not to be in that position again tomorrow.
“When I won my last four titles, I was either leading or tied for the lead going into the final day. So, for tomorrow, I just need to strategise how to chase and make up for the deficit now,” said Semikawa.
