Hongtaek Kim and Shugo Imahira are tied for the lead at International Series Japan, with Yubin Jang, Travis Smyth and Karandeep Kochhar still in striking range.
Hongtaek Kim heads into the final round of the International Series Japan still on top, but he’s no longer alone.
After a windy, uneven third round at Caledonian Golf Club outside Tokyo, Kim and Japan’s Shugo Imahira are tied at 10-under, setting up a tense Sunday finish with several contenders still close enough to make a run.
That leaderboard shift came after Kim, who began Saturday with a one-shot advantage, posted a 1-over 72 while Imahira matched his total with a 71. Korea’s Yubin Jang sits one shot back at 9-under after his own 71, while Australia’s Travis Smyth and India’s Karandeep Kochhar are another stroke behind at 8-under.
Smyth made one of the stronger weekend pushes with a 68, while Kochhar carded a 73.
Kim’s round was a grind. He handled the front side well, then hit turbulence on the back nine with bogeys at 10, 12 and 14. Even so, he did enough to stay in front of the field.
Kim said the wind changed noticeably later in the day and made club selection and control much tougher, but added that his overall game has stayed steady all week and that he doesn’t plan to change much for the final round.
He’s chasing his second Asian Tour title and what would be his first win in an International Series event.
Imahira feels just as dangerous entering Sunday. The 10-time Japan Golf Tour winner gave a little back with bogeys on 14 and 15 before answering with a birdie on 18, and now has a chance to become the first Japanese player to win this event.
Jang remains a major threat too, especially as one of Korea’s top young talents, while Smyth’s recent form keeps him squarely in the conversation.
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So the final-round setup is simple ... Kim still has a share of the lead, but this tournament now feels wide open.
With Imahira playing at home, Jang one back and Smyth charging, International Series Japan suddenly has the kind of Sunday leaderboard that can get very interesting very quickly.
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