Kennedy leaves it late to stay in the mix

Australia’s Brad Kennedy left it late to keep himself in contention as he heads into the final round of the inaugural ASO Iizuka Challenged Golf Tournament by four shots.

Kennedy carded a third-round three-under-par 69, his second bogey-free round in as many days, thanks to three late birdies on the back nine at the ASO Iizuka Golf Club in Fukuoka on Saturday.

The 47-year-old’s solid effort moved him to a three-day total of 15-under-par 201, a three-way tie for third with Taiga Nagano and Kaito Onishi.

Leader Tomoyo Ikemura put himself on the brink of a wire-to-wire victory after firing a 66 to pull three shots clear of second-placed Ryuko Tokimatsu.

“I’m pretty satisfied with my round today. I know I have a three-shot advantage, but anything can happen in golf, and I will need to continue my focus and play my best. If I can do that, the rest will take care of itself,” said Ikemura.

For Kennedy, being just four shots off the pace, it is definitely far from over as far as the Australian is concerned.

Kennedy, vying to end his four-year title drought on JGTO, knows well enough what’s in store as he has been in a familiar situation on two occasions in the past three weeks.

Back by a strong mental game which led to his solid display of late, Kennedy will be hoping that he can finally translate his good run of results into a coveted fourth JGTO win.

Kennedy was in contention in the final rounds of the Golf Partner Pro-Am Tournament and Mizuno Open, only to settle for third and tied fourth, respectively.

He then notched another impressive tied-ninth result in last week’s Japan Golf Tour Championship.

“I’m quite calm this week,” said Kennedy.

“I’m just trying a couple of nice swing thoughts and a couple of mental thoughts that I have been working on over the last three weeks, and it’s coming into play really nicely. My game is getting better.”