Mikumu Horikawa is on a good route for his 2nd wire-to-wire victory. Mikumu was able to keep his solo leader position and head toward the final Sunday tomorrow.

"3R was very Kochi Kuroshio CC like condition. Gusty wind blowing hard and constantly changing. It was really tough figuring out which way the wind was blowing."

Under the tough condition, Mikumu faced difficulties.

"I intentionally chose to play safe, even though that would leave me long putts to save pars. I had tough struggle today."

Mikumu closed his round with 3-putt bogey on 18th. His margin was lessening to 3 strokes, but he kept his solo lead. Mikumu's 1st Tour victory was back in 2019 at Japan Golf Tour Championship, and it was wire-to-wire win. He was in the same group with 2-year Order of Merit Champion and his same age buddy Shugo Imahira.

Tomorrow, Mikumu will be in the same final group with Shugo again and super rookie Takumi Kanaya.

"Both are really great players. I hope all of us would give great influence on each other and make good Sunday charge together. Then eventually I hope I will be the one that's winning."