Asian Tour: four-way tie at the top as Campbell and Tokimatsu make a charge in third round of Diamond Cup
- Overnight leader Kaito Onishi struggles with a one-over 71 but stays with pack in Japan
- Joined on 7-under by countrymen Yuto Katsuragawa and Ryuko Tokimatsu, and New Zealander Ben Campbell
Japan’s Kaito Onishi stayed on top of the leader board in the Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup after the third round, although he was joined there by countrymen Yuto Katsuragawa and Ryuko Tokimatsu and New Zealander Ben Campbell.
Onishi, the leader after the first two rounds, carded a one-over par 71 to finish on 7-under at Oarai Golf Club, while Tokimatsu, who had a hole in one, and Campbell both returned 66s. Katsuragawa came in with a 67.
Japan’s Shugo Imahira (69) and Yuki Inamori (70) are one stroke further back, in the event, which is jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation.
Onishi has only been a professional for a year and yet is on the threshold of his first JGTO victory. And despite a difficult day on the course, which saw him make two birdies and three bogeys, he remained in a confident mood.
“I’m not bad at golf so I think I have a good chance tomorrow,” the 23-year-old said. “My golf is in good shape, so I think I can win if the shots and putts mesh well. I think I have a chance if I can play my best golf.”
Campbell’s joint lowest round of the day, made up of six birdies and two bogeys, has put him is position to claim a second pro win, to go alongside his 2018 New Zealand PGA Championship success.
“I played solid,” Campbell said. “I know what I need to do. I just need to keep doing it all the time. If I can play like how I did today tomorrow, I think I can give myself a good chance.”
One player who everyone will keep a watchful eye on tomorrow is Katsuragawa, who currently leads the JGTO Money List with first and second place finishes to his name this season.
“I’m glad I was able to improve my score by three today,” Katsuragawa said.
“This is my first time playing this course. I like this tough course better. I’m good at shot making, so I can attack. I think I gained a little confidence when I won for the first time this year. Once I won, I didn’t have any negative thoughts from there. Now I can play with the image of winning. I want to do the same tomorrow as today.”
Japan’s Mikumu Horikawa also made a hole in one on the eighth, with a seven iron from 218 yards. He fired a 67 and is six off the lead.
