JGTO Abroad: Hoshino in a three-way tie for lead at Qatar Masters as thrilling showdown looms

Rikuya Hoshino put himself in prime position to land a maiden DP World Tour title after carding a three-under-par 69 to share the third-round lead of the Qatar Masters on Saturday.

Starting the penultimate stage in joint second, Hoshino continued his solid form at the Doha Golf Club by trading five birdies against two bogeys to surge to the top of the leaderboard, with his efforts of 10-under 206 being matched by Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark and Frenchman Ugo Coussaud.

Hojgaard and Coussaud both shot identical 67s.

The leading trio hold just a slim one-shot lead over Denmark's Niklas Norgaard, Tom McKibbin of Northern Ireland, and Scotland's Ewen Ferguson.

Hoshino will have to raise his game if he is to contend strongly on the final day as the top 31 players are separated by just five shots.

Hoshino will be hoping to be third time lucky in his quest to become a DP World Tour champion.

This comes after he had to settle for runner-up on both occasions after being in strong contention at the Australian PGA Championship and Australian Open last year.

Masahiro Kawamura and Keita Nakajima ensured a strong Japanese presence in the top 20 with Kawamura carding a 69 for joint 12th while Nakajima managed to be tied for 18th despite mustering only 72.