Toshimitsu Izawa shot a 4-under-par 67 to charge into a share of the lead with overnight leader Ryoken Kawagishi after three rounds of the Japan Open on Saturday.
Izawa rebounded from a first-hole bogey to make five birdies in rainy conditions on his way to matching the day's low round and a 3-under 210 total at Hirono Golf Club, putting himself in position to win his first Japan Open title in 10 years. Kawagishi, who had a two-stroke lead after two rounds, had a round of 72, which featured three birdies against four bogeys. Hiroyuki Fujita had a 70 and finished the day tied for third at 1-under 212 along with Craig Parry of Australia, who matched Izawa with a 67.
CHIBA (Kyodo) First-round joint leader Yuri Fudo opened up a four-stroke lead after firing a 7-under-par 65 in the second round of the Fujitsu Ladies on Saturday, while Sakura Yokomine climbed into second with another steady round.