Chiba: Japan's Yosuke Asaji will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup after he posted a three-under-par 68 at the Sobu Country Club yesterday.
The 25-year-old Japanese is seeking his first professional win since joining the play-for-pay ranks in 2011 and knows he has to stay on top of his game despite taking the third round lead with his three-day total of four-under-par 209.
"Anything can happen on this golf course. You got to be really patient here and be really sharp with your driving. If not, it will cost you," said Asaji.
"They are many good players here this week and you have to be on top of your game. It's great to see the crowd coming out to watch the event and I'm looking forward to the final day tomorrow."
New Zealand's Denzel Ieremia, who comes from a family of sporting stars, made his move by firing a flawless 66 to share second place with Micah Lauren Shin of the United States.
"It was solid. I hit the driver pretty good and long which gave me a lot of birdie chances the last few days. Mentally, it has been cool and I'm just enjoying the week," said Ieremia.
"This is the hardest course I've played. It's very demanding off the tee and if you miss the fairways, it going to be very hard to get it onto the greens. It requires all aspects of your game to be good.
"This is my first time in Japan and I'm just enjoying the week."
Shin lost his grip on the lead after marking his card with two birdies, one bogey and a double bogey for a 72.
"The course is obviously very tough and I'm just trying to hang in there for as long as I can. I'm just trying to play the best I can," said Shin.
"I'm just one shot back. But I don't want to think too much about it and just play well. I was hitting it very badly today and just didn't get into the right spots. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better."
Zimbabwean Scott Vincent meanwhile returned with a 68 to give himself another chance for his maiden breakthrough on the Asian Tour.
Vincent, together with South Korea's YE Yang, and Japan's Jinichiro Kozuma are bunched in fourth place, three shots back of Asaji.
The Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup is the Asian Tour's first stop in Japan this season and second of four co-sanctioned events with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) this year.
