Amateur Sugiura stays firmly in control

Unless there's a last-day meltdown, amateur sensation Yuta Sugiura is on the verge of achieving a remarkable first-time victory on the JGTO circuit at the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament.

The 22-year-old brilliantly birdied the final hole to shoot a two-under-par 69 at the Phoenix Country Club on Saturday, opening up a four-shot cushion at the top of the leaderboard.

Starting the day three shots ahead, Sugiura, who triumphed in the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament Challenge on the Abema Tour in September, resumed his solid performance by notching five birdies and three bogeys, finishing with a total score of 12-under 201.

This puts him comfortably ahead of Australian veteran Brad Kennedy, who posted a 67, securing the second spot at eight-under.

Keita Nakajima, leading the JGTO Money Rankings, is one shot behind after a 70, while Hideki Matsuyama (71), the Philippines' Juvic Pagunsan (68), Kensei Hirata (69), and Yusaku Hosono (71) are all tied for fourth place at 208.

Two-time winner Brooks Koepka (67) and defending champion Kazuki Higa (73) find themselves among a group of seven players tied for eighth.

However, reclaiming the trophy would demand a monumental effort, as they trail by eight shots.

Sugiura, a fourth-year university student, could become the only seventh amateur to win in the JGTO history if he seals the deal on Sunday.

“I've been thinking about wanting to win since yesterday ended, and I really want to win,” declared Sugiura.

“(Being four-shot ahead) is a significant lead, but in challenging conditions like today, where you can make birdies or consecutive bogeys, it can be unpredictable.

“I want to concentrate on each shot and play without regrets. I don't know how nervous I'll be, but I want to enjoy those 18 holes. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.”

Kennedy, who will be playing in the final group in the "fantastic tournament" for the second time since 2013, hopes to convert the opportunity to join the illustrious winners' circle, which boasts big names such as Tiger Woods, Luke Donald, and Ernie Els, among others.

"It's a fantastic tournament. I consider it one of the largest tournaments in Japan," said Kennedy, who is relentlessly pursuing his fourth JGTO win since he last emerged victorious at the Sega Sammy Cup in 2018.

"The past winners are all legends, and since 1974 is the year I was born, I feel a connection there. This is my 13th participation, and I always look forward to playing. "I want to have a good game. It's been since 2013, when Luke Donald won, that I played in the final group, but I hope to use that experience and play well."

Inspired by his best round of the week, Koepka has refused to throw in the towel just yet.

Koepka believes he needs to make more putts and try to do better than seven-under if he's to stand a chance of leaping past Sugiura.

"I want to maintain today's momentum and play well. I missed several short putts today, so if those had gone in, I could have finished around seven-under," said Koepka, a five-time major winner.

"I want to achieve a score higher than seven-under. Otherwise, I won't be able to reach the top. I want to aim for something like 60, just to stretch and improve as much as possible."

Leading third round scores:

201: Yuta Sugiura (am) 64-68-69;

205: Brad Kennedy (Aus) 70-68-67;

206: Keita Nakajima 65-71-70;

208: Juvic Pagunsan (Phi) 70-70-68, Kensei Hirata 70-69-69, Hideki Matsuyama 63-74-71, Yusaku Hosono 68-69-71;

209: Brooks Koepka (US) 73-68-71, Taiga Semikawa 70-68-71, Song Young-han (Kor) 66-72-71, Rikuya Hoshino 71-66-72, Yusaku Miyazao 65-72-72, Kazuki Higa 70-66-73, Shaun Norris (Rsa) 65-70-74.Leading third round scores:

201: Yuta Sugiura (am) 64-68-69;

205: Brad Kennedy (Aus) 70-68-67;

206: Keita Nakajima 65-71-70;

208: Juvic Pagunsan (Phi) 70-70-68, Kensei Hirata 70-69-69, Hideki Matsuyama 63-74-71, Yusaku Hosono 68-69-71;

209: Brooks Koepka (US) 73-68-71, Taiga Semikawa 70-68-71, Song Young-han (Kor) 66-72-71, Rikuya Hoshino 71-66-72, Yusaku Miyazao 65-72-72, Kazuki Higa 70-66-73, Shaun Norris (Rsa) 65-70-74.