Japanese Yuto Katsuragawa bucked a double bogey to shoot a four-under-par 67 and build a four-shot lead over compatriot Riki Kawamoto going into the final round of the Vantelin Tokai Classic at the Miyoshi Country Club’s West course in Japan Friday.
Katsuragawa, the 24-year -old who honed his skills in the Philippines as an amateur, knocked in six birdies to counter a double bogey on the par-3 16th hole.
On 15-under, Katsuragawa is gunning for his second Japan Golf Tour title since turning pro two years ago.
Kawamoto shot a 66 behind six birdies against a lone bogey to move to 11-under, one shot ahead of Yuta Ikeda who carded a 67.
Juvic Pagunsan, the only Filipino who survived the cut, dropped seven shots in the front nine but rallied to save three-over-par 74.
The 44-year-old Filipino slipped to joint 32nd on 213.
He opened with a birdie but dropped three shots in the par-5 second hole.
Shaken by the misadventure, Pagunsan bogeyed 3, 5, 6 and 9.
He righted the ship going home, nailing birdies on 11, 12, 14 and 15 before he bogeyed 18.
Over in Taiwan, Justin Quiban and Miguel Tabuena struggled on moving day that dropped them in the standings in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters at the Taiwan Golf and Club Saturday.
Quiban sank three birdies against two bogeys and a double bogey to turn in a 73 and 1-over for a share of 32nd.
Tabuena, on the other hand, limped home with an 80, his round marred by four bogeys and three double bogeys against only two pars.
On 3-over, Tabuena tied for 42nd.
Chan Shi-chang and Rashid Khan share the lead on 11-under after a 69 and 73, respectively.