Korean Guntaek Koh has a four-shot lead after the third round of the New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort.
The overnight leader’s five-under 66 on Saturday was highlighted by an eagle at the short par-four 12th hole, a blind wedge shot from 66 metres out that took two bounces before spinning back into the cup.
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At 22-under-par after 54 holes, it will be Koh’s tournament to lose on the final day on Millbrook Resort’s composite course as he tries to become the event’s second consecutive Asian winner.
The closest challenger to the four-time winner on the Korean Tour is West Australian Ryan Peake, who made up two shots on the leader with a 64 and has the biggest day of his career ahead on Sunday.
Japan’s Kazumi Higa eagled the par-five first and 17th holes to climb to a share of third with a nine-under-par 62.
He is joined in the group five shots behind by South African Ian Snyman (66), China’s Bobby Bai (67) and Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit No.1 Elvis Smylie, who made up plenty of late ground with a back nine of 29 in a six-under 66.
The leading New Zealander is Sam Jones who charged to a share of seventh, seven shots behind, thanks to a composite course record round of 10-under 61.
He was close to finishing his round when Koh was getting his underway with a three-shot lead, the Korean quickly building on his advantage with birdies at the first, second and third holes.
Although he had two bogeys, he turned in three-under 33 and was as many as six shots in front before his lead dwindled slightly with six consecutive pars coming home after his eagle on 12.
Despite climbing to second and being bogey-free for 39 holes, Peake is seeking more consistency from his driver. He headed to the driving range post-round looking for some solutions after hitting just three out of 14 fairways.
The winner of two events on his home tour this season, Smylie was stuck in neutral on the front nine but erupted with four birdies and an eagle on the back nine, turning a 10-shot deficit to the leader into a more manageable six.
Jones’s brilliant 61 included eight birdies plus an eagle on the par-five 17th hole where his second shot with a seven iron finished 4m from the cup and he rolled in the slightly uphill putt.
While the home crowd hoped for a big Saturday charge from Millbrook member Ben Campbell and former champion Michael Hendry, the duo lost ground on the lead.
They are both at 10-under, and 12 shots back, after Campbell carded a 69 and Hendry a 71.