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In a dramatic finish to the third round of the US$2 million International Series Japan presented by Moutai, Lucas Herbert made an eagle two on the par-four 16th, followed by a regulation eagle on the par-five 18th to catch up with Yuta Sugiura and Younghan Song on top of the leaderboard.
The 29-year-old Australian, leader by one at the start of the day, seemed to be struggling with his game and was five shots behind with three holes to play at the par-71 Caledonian Golf Club in Chiba.
However, the Ripper GC star on LIV Golf scripted a rousing finish. He drove the green on the reachable 16th and converted a 21-foot putt. On the 18th, he struck his second shot from 188 yards to 10 feet for a two-under round of 69.
That lifted him to 13-under for 54 holes, joining Japan’s Sugiura (66) and Korea’s Song (68).
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Our first visit to Japan for the International Series presented by Ma Thai Par 71 Golf Course 7,116 yds. The greens just a little bit slower stmping at 11 ft 10. As you can see, gray clouds overhead. Temperature 18 to 20. The wind out of the south 15 to 25 km an hour. Always tough to pick among the trees. I’m Doogie Donley. Donlay and Anthony Kang are with me in the booth. Jerry Folultz and Tim Low are out on the golf course. So, what’s been happening so far in this Saturday morning Xi Chang Chan the low round yesterday the man from Taipei beginning at seven under par four behind Lucas Herbert the leader and this was a terrific approach into the fourth. Chi Changen is getting it going again. And Dick V starting the day four strokes back of the leader here at the par three has proven difficult for the players for the two rounds. Just a shallow depth for their T-OT finding a nice putt. Moving in the correct direction off to a nice start and playing a couple groups behind Ian Snyman. Two two rounds. Two out of three players unable to find this green in regulation. East Diamond will not only find the green in regulation will hit it close. Excellent birdie, but it would be a triple bogey on the very next hole on doing the good work. Yang Hong, the 33y old South Korean started the one back from Lucas Herbert. This was his opening hole. A birdie three to take a share of the lead with the Australian. And then on the par five second. He’s been putting beautifully all week. Only 48 putts over his first two rounds. Make that 50 in 38 holes. And he takes the outright lead heading into the third hole. So it hasn’t taken long for a change at the top of the leaderboard. Great start by Young Hansong. Although he has dropped a shot at the third. Lucas Herbert too has put a bogey on the guard early on. He too dropping a shot at the par three third. Good putt, boy. That blade is certainly working. That’s three terrific putts over the first four holes. On to the par three 12ths. Sam Horsefield having a great Saturday. Five under par on his round. Three birdies in four holes. Five holes did bogey the first, but that’s a pretty good start. Now, Mashin of the US on the eighth is beautifully played. I think we can give him that one. Next at five, Shunya Takiasu showing no sign of nerves. Has hit some very high quality shots thus far. Oh. Oh dear. Well, he did not mis hit that either. No, judging by the spin on the ball, it was just the wrong club. Sam Hfield climbing the leaderboard. Great third round so far for the Englishman. And it’s just got better. Goes to nine under. He’s only three back. Having a horrendous start today. Caleb Surat bogey the very first hole and a triple bogey at the par 3 fifth but making it up with eagle there at the par five sixth [Music] Cameron Jungali hard the first four holes bird the fifth bird’s the sixth to move to nine under three back Takiasu has this one a little bit uphill definitely going to turn slightly left for four birdies in a row on this back nine. Putting from a good place, not much break in this. Sam Horsefield lighting it up. Oh, even though this birdie putt’s going to be downhill for Sugi, it moves from right to left. It just feels like that ball’s going to collect into the cup. Now Horsefield third shot. So poor second. Pretty good third though. Oh, this one’s got a little shoulder off the right where Nick’s standing that’s going to move it slightly left. Other than that, not a ton of movement. He’s always one of the best putters wherever he’s applying his trade. Well, the one year he played on the PGA Tour, he led the putting stats. China’s Bobby Bai second shot at the 10th. One bogey on his round on his very first hole. All pars should be his first birdie of the round. would be a much easier putt if he made it up to the level where the hole is. Slow putt for Trangali. Well done. A wonderful second shot. Chased it up that slope and straight in the middle of the hole. So Travis Mesoves to nine under alongside Tringali. Only three back. When you’re having a good day, even these difficult holes, you can set up birdie chances. Slightly outside that chance. Whoa. Horse field. And Sweden Bjorn Hilgrren having a steady third round. Two under par on his round. Beautiful approach. Should move to three under. Sam Hosfield. This is at 16. And this is his T-shot. He’s driven the green, so he’s putting for an eagle, too. Sam Horfield now in danger of dropping a shot for the first time today. It’s been a wonderful round of golf. Can he keep it going here at 17? No, that one slips past. That’s going to be a bogey. Lynchen Park haven’t dropped a stroke today. Haven’t picked up a stroke either. All pars on his round. Nearly brought that run of pars to an end in dramatic fashion there. A second shot into the par five. 18th for Jinichiro Kosuma. One under on his round today. Coming off of a birdie on the previous hole. on the final hole for Sam Horsefield. An excellent day. Birdie chance to shoot nine under. Be a slightly disappointing finish for Sam Horsefield, but it’s an excellent day’s work. Eight under par. More importantly, right back into contention. Birdie putt at the 16th for Kazuki Higa. Ready. Ready. He might just be getting a little bit frustrated. You think Lucas Herbert? I’d be I rate to the 12th Travis. That’s for a birdie to get to 10 under. Just one back. Yeah. Well done, Nick V. Chance for another bird here at 13. Oh, that’s very nicely judged. He’s certainly not out of this. Only three back. Yun Park for B at 13. He’s beginning to close in on in the leaders as well. That’s two in the last three hoes. Eight under par for the Korean. Young Hanson’s second shot at 11 from the rough. Terrible angle. 140 yards. He’s taking it at it. Oh, this is going to be ridiculously good. This could even go in. Just 88 yards for Herbert. Lob wedge. Maximize the spin. Oh, good line. Oh, nice. Yeah. Well done. Good kick. Instead of having a tap and putt, had that ball missed the pin, having to face a big breaking [Music] putt. This if it turns the other way and it does. Oh, well done. Backto back birdies. And I think the play is just the one hop in stomp. This one coming in much lower number. Looks pretty good. He’s just thinking dribble it over the top edge. Good four. That should stay pretty straight around the cup. Hard to understand that he’s had three most cuts in five tournaments. Aggressive play off the tea. Lovely touch out of the bunker. Can he take advantage? Yes, he certainly can. Smive moving back in the right direction. Sugira going for the green at this short par four with a little bit of help in the air. 320 yds to the front edge. Plays a couple yards downhill as well. This one sent on a very nice line just bleeding off a little right. Oh, that is excellent. That is stunning. Oh, goodness me. What a shot. Oh, just for a minute there. Trangali reading that putt to perfection. This one coming slightly uphill. Maybe a a smidge of movement on it. Don’t think he needs to start this outside the hole. has got to play it with pace. Just enough pace. It could be a very significant eagle for young Utah Sugura. And Lynchen Park his third shot into the par five 18th. Oh, he’s hold it for a eagle. What a finish for Park. a 68 with a three at the last. Suddenly he’s at nine under. Not as productive today for Nick Vog. Even par on his round. Seven under yesterday. I will finish his round under par. Felt the finish. He liked the contact. He liked the line. He loves the result. Guess by the day that he was having it looked like he may catch the hole and spin out, but fortunately for Lucas Herbert, much needed gain strokes. Well, not exactly what you’d call a makeable punt. This one sliding downhill and gently to the right at the end for Jos Toledo. Tell you what, the line looks pretty good. Goodness, he’s made a couple of bombs today. Look at his feet line, his hip line. Looks like he’s playing for nearly a straight putt. A great putt by Takiasu. Fooled us both. Jerry as a left to [Applause] [Applause] right 67 67 66 starts off right trying to draw. It’s a good line. Oh. [Applause] Oh, great effort. It was still a terrific putt and a great day’s work by Yong Hun. The 33y old is an impressive player. 65 67 68. He might feel it’s trending in the wrong direction, but he’s played so much good golf. Has to get back into a share of the lead with 18 to play. And he makes it. What a recovery from Lucas Habert. He was all over the place after 10 holes, but two eagles in the last three. Suddenly, it’s a 69. No wonder he’s smiling. And he’s in a share of the lead, a three-way share. Yung Han Song birdied the last for a 68, but Utah Sugiora and Jose Toledo both dropped a shot at the last. Thanks for watching the Asian Tour on YouTube. Don’t forget to like and subscribe.
