Unheralded Rui Kitada took full advantage of a rare slump on the back nine by overnight leader Yuri Fudo on Saturday to jump into the lead heading into the final round of the Nichirei Cup World Ladies.
Teeing off in second, Kitada rode the hot putter by knocking down seven birdies on the way to a 5-under-par 67 at Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club to close in on her first career victory since turning pro in 2002.
Kitada leads amateur Shinobu Moromizato by three strokes on a 54-hole total of 17-under 199 with Fudo, dropping into third.
Sheehan soars
ITO, Shizuoka Pref. (Kyodo) Australian Paul Sheehan soared to the top of the leaderboard with a course record 9-under par 62 in the third round of the Fujisankei Classic on Saturday.
Sheehan overcame a bogey on his first hole to set the par-71 Kawana Hotel Golf Course ablaze with an eagle and eight birdies for a two-shot lead and a 13-under 200 total.
The 27-year-old, who teed off in a tie for 17th, bettered the 63 set on Thursday by overnight leader Nobuo Serizawa, who dropped into a share of second with Daisuke Maruyama.