Semikawa keeps Japan flag flying in Singapore

Rising Japanese golf star Taiga Semikawa continued to climb on the Singapore Classic leaderboard as he shot a second successive three-under-par 69 to jump 12 places to be tied for 39th after the third round on Saturday.

Semikawa, who could only manage an even par on Thursday, enjoyed a fine start from the 10th tee as he secured a hat-trick of birdies starting from the 12th hole.

However, he ran out of steam with a back-to-back bogey on the 17th and 18th.

To his credit, the reigning Japan Open champion was able to redeem the two dropped strokes on his outward nine, birdieng the third and fourth holes to complete the penultimate stage on six-under-par 210.

“When I started off with that three straight birdies, I thought I was going to get a good score today. Unfortunately, the two bogeys in succession broke the momentum,” said Semikawa.

“But I did bounce back to regain those strokes back, so it wasn’t too bad.”

The 22-year-old trails leaders South Korea's Jeunghun Wang and Alejandro Del Rey of Spain, who posted matching 66s to tie at the top on 14-under-par 202, by eight shots.

Semikawa still has a good chance to stamp his mark on the DP World Tour debut with a top-10 finish as he's just five shots off the pace.

But first, Semikawa knows he needs to overcome the final day jinx first.

During his recent PGA Tour outings, Semikawa struggled to a final round 73 at the Sony Open in Hawaii and then closed with a 79 at the Farmers Insurance Open. He finished tied 67^th in both tournaments.

“The final day has been a nightmare for me recently. I wish to overcome it. I think it will be good if I can shoot an under-par score,” he said.

Semikawa was left flying the Japan flag alone following the elimination of his compatriots Aguri Iwasaki, Rikuya Hoshino and Masahiro Kawamura at the halfway stage.

Semikawa still has a company of sorts in fellow JGTO member Anthony Quayle of Australia.

Quayle, the last year's runner-up of the Mizuno Open, sits joint 31st after carding a 71 for a seven-under-par 209 total.

"It's my first big tournament and I look forward to shaking off some rust from the off-season," said Quayle.

"I'm also keen to see how my game is feeling as I prepare for the new JGTO season.

"Everything feels really good, it's just that my back was a little bit sore and I made some mistakes on the back nine today."