Japan’s Takumi Kanaya opened up a three-shot lead after the
penultimate round of the US$2 million International Series Vietnam today,
showing the skill and composure that helped him record a breakthrough victory
in the International Series Oman in February. The 24 year old from Hiroshima carded a six-under-par 66, for an
impressive tournament total of 17 under, with Australian Kevin Yuan and Jazz
Janewattananond from Thailand in second place, on the Greg Norman-designed
championship course at KN Golf Links. Yuan also returned a 66, while Jazz, the overnight leader, carded a
71. Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent is in solo fourth after a 71, four behind
the Japanese frontrunner. |
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This week is Kanaya’s first Asian Tour event since Oman, where he
became the maiden player from Japan to win an International Series event and
the first from his country to claim an Asian Tour event outside of Japan in
13 years. “Yeah, I’m feeling so great right now,” said Kanaya, a three-time
winner on the Japan Tour, with his most recent coming in 2021 at the Token
Homemate Cup. “Today the greens were very firm and bouncy, the conditions were
difficult but still my shots were good, and I was putting really well, so
I’ll just keep going tomorrow. “I’ll do my best tomorrow, just focus shot by shot and just do it.” Yuan is in the form of his life having made the cut in all eight
events on the Asian Tour this season, highlighted by a fifth place finish in
the International Series Thailand. He said: “I'd say the biggest thing would just be improving my ball
striking, not shooting too many high numbers when I don't really have my game
together. You know, there's so many good Asian Tour players, it is always
very competitive. So, it gives me a lot of confidence to keep making cuts
when I'm not playing my best. “I felt good out there, like on the driving range I was hitting the
shots that I wanted, seeing the ball flights that I wanted, and it continued
throughout the round. So, I felt it was a pretty stress free, bogey free
round today.” Yuan has also been seeing the same coach as Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho,
Jonathan Wallett. Kho hit the headlines three weeks ago when he triumphed in
the World City Championship in Hong Kong. “Taichi winning has really motivated me to do better because he's such
a good player, just seeing his game and stuff like that,” said the
Australian. “And after Hong Kong, just going back to Australia working on a few
things and it's good to see that I'm also heading in the right direction.
John's been really helpful, like very supportive, whenever I need him he is
there. You know, we talk every day, text every day, so it's been very good.” Jazz led with Kanaya for much of the day but a poor back nine, which
he played in one over including a bogey on 18, saw him slip back. “Just got really bad momentum on the back nine you know, just couldn't
get it back,” said the seven-time Asian Tour winner. “But all in all, I’m still in the game, I didn't lose it completely. I
almost lost it completely but not totally out of it yet so still have a
chance. Just got to go out there and get some good breaks, hopefully get that
momentum going again.” Thailand’s Pawin Ingkhapradit (64) and Pavit Tangkamolprasert (68),
Chinese amateur Ding Wenyi (67), the 2022 US Junior Amateur champion, and
Hong Kong’s Matthew Cheung (67) are equal fifth, five off the lead. American Andy Ogletree, presently ahead on both the Asian Tour and
International Series Order of Merits, returned a 70, to go to minus eight. England’s Paul Casey, who fought his way into contention with a second
round 64, shot a 72 today and is six under. It is the fourth event on the International Series this season which
could prove to be a crucial part of the schedule as many players are battling
it out for the top spot on The International Series Order of Merit - fighting
for the chance for a place in next year’s flourishing LIV Golf League. More information about the International Series Vietnam can be found
by visiting: Asian Tour |
Professional Golf Tour in Asia. |
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