ANNAKA, Gunma Pref. – Shingo Katayama stayed firmly on track for his first victory of the year after opening up a seven-stroke lead with a third-round 65 at the Japan PGA Championship on Saturday.
Four-time JGTO money title winner Katayama had yet another blemish-free day at Raysum Golf and Spa Resort while making seven birdies to get to an 18-under-par 198.
Katayama, who enjoyed a three-shot advantage at the start of the day, solidified his lead with three consecutive birdies from the opening hole and four more in a five-hole stretch around the turn.
He made a string of clutch par saves down the stretch en route to finishing 54 holes without dropping a shot.
“I think this is my first time going 54 holes without a bogey and hopefully I’ll go at least 20-under tomorrow,” he said.