Kozuma takes over lead as Norris lurks

Jinichiro Kozuma snatched the third round lead at the Sansan KBC Augusta after carding a six-under-par 66 to head into the final round with a one-shot advantage over South Africa’s Shaun Norris on Saturday.

Like Kozuma, Norris, who is seeking his seventh JGTO title this week, also kept his card clean with four birdies and one eagle at the Keya Golf Club. Yuwa Kosaihira remained in tied-third place after signing for a 69 to trail Kozuma by four shots with Ryuichi Oiwa.

Kozuma overcame a slow start in his front-nine with birdies on the sixth and seventh holes. The 30-year-old would, however, end his penultimate round encouragingly with four birdies in his last five holes.

“I struggled in the first nine because my putts didn't sink, but I was able to improve in the back-nine. I didn't have many chances, and even when I did, I couldn't make the putts, so I was just trying to stay patient and hope for the  next opportunity,” said the 30-year-old.

Kozuma is now relishing a final day battle with Norris, whom he places in high regard.

“Norris is an exceptional player, who can compete globally. It’s exciting to be able to compete for the win with a player like that. I think it’s great if we can push each other and see how far we can go. I think it will be a contest on the greens, so it will come down to who can make good putts tomorrow,” said Kozuma.

Evergreen Norris showed his intent of ending his three-year winless streak on the JGTO by reaching the turn convincingly in 32 after birdies on holes four and six along with ana eagle on nine.

The 42-year-old parred the next three holes after the turn before birdies on 13 and 18 put him in a strong position to return to the winner’s circle again.

“I hit it very well from tee to green today. I worked hard on my iron shots and the efforts paid off. The greens on this golf course are very challenging here but regardless, you still have to make good putts. If not, they don't go in. So for me, the type of grass doesn't matter, I just do what I always do,” said Norris.

Ends.

Leading third round scores
*All Japanese unless indicated otherwise
200 – Jinichiro Kozuma – 68-66-66
201 – Shaun Norris (Rsa) 68-67-66
204 - Yuwa Kosaihirsa 66-69-69, Ryuichi Oiwa 69-70-65
205 - Taiga Sugihara 71-69-65, Tomoyo Ikemura 67-70-68