Satoshi Higashi moved to within one round of snapping a five-year victory drought Saturday as he came back from a wobbly front nine to cling to the lead after the third round of the Japan PGA Championship.
The overnight leader shot an even-par 71 at the Caledonian Golf Club for a 6-under total 207.
He heads into the final round with a one-stroke advantage over Nobuhito Sato.
Australia's Steven Conran overcame a double-bogey 6 on the opening hole to card a 69 and moved up to third at 3-under 210.
Defending champion Naomichi Ozaki took a triple-bogey 7 at No. 15 and finished the day in a 10-man group tied for 14th place at 2-over 215 along with older brother Tateo Ozaki, winner of last week's Fujisankei Classic.
Among the four players another shot behind is Masashi Ozaki, the eldest of the three Ozaki brothers.
Higo, Fudo share lead
AMAGI, Fukuoka Pref. (Kyodo) Kaori Higo forged a 2-under-par 70 in rainy conditions Saturday to grab a share of the lead with Yuri Fudo after the second round of the Vernal Cup RKB Ladies golf tournament.
Higo, who began the second round three strokes off the lead, survived a pair of bogeys while carding four birdies at the 6,490-yard, par-72 Fukuoka Century Golf Club for a two-day total of 2-under 142.
"There are a lot of long holes on this course and with the rain today it was tough to get a lot of distance," said Higo, who won three events on the Japan LPGA tour last season.
Aki Takamura sits all alone in third place, one stroke off the pace at 1-under 143.