Toshiaki Odate fired a 3-under-par 68 on Saturday to forge a three-stroke lead heading into the final round of the 100 million yen JCB Classic Sendai golf tournament.
Odate, seeking his first Tour victory since 1993, answered a double bogey on No. 5 with four birdies at the Omotezao Kokusai Golf Club to complete three rounds at 9-under 204, three strokes clear of Taichi Teshima.
"I was unexpectedly relaxed today. Even when the wind came up, I was thinking that this would help me," said Odate, whose only JPGA Tour win to date came at the Yonex Hiroshima Open in 1993.
Teshima, meanwhile, had an adventurous third round over the 6,659-yard, par-71 course with an eagle, four birdies and four bogeys -- including back-to-back blemishes on Nos. 16 and 17 -- for a 69 to stand at 6-under 207.
Oba-chan shoots 69
NARUTO, Tokushima Pref. (Kyodo) Michie Oba birdied three holes on the back nine of a 3-under-par 69 on Saturday to grab a share of the lead in the 50 million yen Resort Trust Ladies golf tournament with Chihiro Nakajima.
Oba carded a pair of birdies and two bogeys on the front nine of the Grandee Naruto G.C. to finish at 4-under 140.