Des Smyth reached the turn in 33 shots on day three of the Handa Cup at Ohmurasaki Golf Club, Saitama, only to card a 37 on the back nine ending the day with a two under par 70 – for a share of 22nd place – and well off the pace.
Frankie Minoza of the Philippines and Satoshi Higashi of Japan take a two stroke lead into the final round with double Major Champion Sandy Lyle among those chasing in Japan on 12 under after Minoza shot a second round 68 with Higashi joining him at the top of the leader broad with a 67.
Scotland’s Lyle compiled his third successive round in the 60’s, the former Masters and Open Champion signed for a 69 to lie at ten under par alongside Japan’s Kiyoshi Murota and Masahiro Kuramoto.
Overnight joint leader Andrew Oldcorn, also of Scotland, carded a 71 to lie in sixth place on 207, just three strokes off the pace.
Higashi, who chipped in on the ninth for an eagle, played with Lyle and defending champion Ian Woosnam in the 1996 Masters Tournament at Augusta National and said: “I really want to win, by mostly I want to enjoy tomorrow.
“I played with Woosnam and Lyle in 1996 at the Masters, and it is a great honour to play with them this week here in Japan. We have many good and strong players here.”
Lyle, runner-up last week in Perth, birdied the 18th to keep himself in the frame for a maiden Senior Tour title.
“It’s been a long time since I won in Japan, or on any tour for that matter,” said Lyle. “My last few seasons haven’t been great by my standards. Last week I finished second in Perth which was my best finish for a while, but I would like to improve this with a victory this week. Last week I was close, this week I am close again.”
Oldcorn, who went out of bounds on the 16th on his way to running up a bogey, was impressed with playing partner Minoza’s performance.
Denis O’Sullivan failed to make the cut on Friday on 5 over par.
