Ibaraki, Japan, June 30: Relishing his first chance to play in the final group in Japan for a long time, Frankie Minoza of the Philippines firmly believes he has a shot at glory after finishing the third round five shots behind leader Shingo Katayama at the UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship outside Tokyo this afternoon.
The 47-year-old Minoza, who won his home title at February’s Philippine Open, is joined in equal sixth by China’s Zhang Lian-wei who continues to defy his recent lack of play in Japan to threaten for an unlikely victory.
Only seven players remain under par at the event known as the ‘players championship’ of men’s golf in Japan, with Katayama’s fine round of three-under 67 enough to secure a two-stroke lead at an aggregate of six-under 204.
Japanese pair Naoya Takemoto and Toshinori Muto share second at four-under, with Korean Lee Dong-hwan and Japan’s Kaname Yokoo another two shots adrift at a total of two-under 208. Minoza and Zhang are together another one back.
Minoza, whose post-round interview was interrupted by a passing marching band, something he said had not happened since he won Japan’s 1995 Daikyo Open in Okinawa, survived an up and down day.
Said Minoza: “I was playing so good on the front nine, but the 10th hole was not a good one for me. I hit my tee shot in the rough and then pulled my second shot. The third shot hit a tree and stayed there and I made double-bogey. It was nice being in the final group, though, especially on one of the last two days.
“On this course, anything can happen. Five strokes is nothing here. If I can make a couple of birdies and those guys make some bogeys, it is not so far. I think I have a chance (to win).”
Zhang, meanwhile, continued his excellent effort this week and remains in striking distance of a first victory in Japan. Having not played here in two years as he concentrated on the local Omega China Tour, he has taken on one of the toughest courses in Japan in his first week back.
After going out in one-over 36, birdies at 13 and 16 were offset by bogeys at 11 and 18, where he failed to get and up and down from a greenside trap.
Said Zhang: “Today, the wind was a little stronger and my putting was only so so. It was not too bad, but not good enough to score well. My driving was also a lot better yesterday and there were just not enough birdies today.
“I think the winner will need to be seven or eight-under, about the same as last year. I will try to shot 64 or 65 tomorrow and win, but it will be tough.”
The remainder of the Asian Tour contingent are beyond striking distance for the win, although are poised for strong finishes. Thailand’s Prom Meesawat is tied for 19th at three-over 213 after a 72, Lin Keng-chi is another shot back after a 74 and Prayad Marksaeng endured a 76 to finish at five-over 215.
The UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship is being played over the par 70, 7,214-yard West Course at Shishido Hills Country Club, located about 100 kilometres northeast of Tokyo, and offers a prize purse of ¥150 million (about US$1.25 million).
