Chiba, April 4 (NationPress) Indian golfer Karandeep Kochhar showcased remarkable resilience to secure a Tied-4th finish after the third round of the US$ 2 million International Series Japan held at the Caledonian Golf Club in Chiba, Japan, on Saturday.

Following two rounds without a single bogey, Kochhar faced challenges in the third round, posting five bogeys that countered his three birdies, leading to a score of 2-over 73. His cumulative score of 8-under 205 places him just two strokes behind leaders Shugo Imahira from Japan and Hongtaek Kim from Korea, both at 10-under 203 in this season's opener.

Kochhar kicked off the round with a birdie on the second hole but struggled with consecutive bogeys on the third and fourth holes. He briefly regained momentum with a birdie on the sixth but lost ground again on the ninth and twelfth holes. After birdieing the fourteenth, he closed the day with a bogey on the seventeenth, finishing at 2-over.

In the meantime, Hongtaek Kim retained his lead for the third day running, navigating a dramatic finish as Shugo Imahira surged to join him at the top.

Kicking off with a one-shot advantage, Kim recorded a round of 72, one over par, keeping his position at 10-under, while his partner Imahira finished with a 71.

Trailing just behind is Yubin Jang from Korea, who shot a 71 and is one shot off the pace, falling behind both Travis Smyth and Kochhar.

Smyth opened the season with a strong 68 in this premier event of The International Series, part of the Asian Tour, which serves as a pathway to the LIV Golf League through its rankings.

Despite facing gusty winds, Kim managed to maintain his lead, navigating a back nine that included bogeys on holes 10, 12, and 14, while Imahira, Jang, and Smyth all birdied the eighteenth. “I played well on the front nine, especially handling the wind, but conditions turned on the back nine, making it tougher,” Kim reflected.

The thirty-two-year-old seeks his second title on the Asian Tour, having previously won the GS Caltex Maekyung Open two years ago. A victory this Sunday would mark his inaugural title in The International Series.

Imahira encountered struggles on the inward half, losing strokes on holes 14 and 15 but managed a closing birdie. He aspires to be the first Japanese player to claim this title, following Australian Lucas Herbert's win in the inaugural event last year.

With ten wins on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO), including the 2022 Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup, and having secured consecutive JGTO Money List titles since 2018, he stands out as a top contender.

“The wind posed significant challenges today; it was unpredictable with sudden gusts. I aimed for an even finish, so it was gratifying to birdie at the end. I’m eager to carry this momentum into tomorrow,” he stated.

Attention will also be on Jang this Sunday, as he is considered one of Korea’s promising talents.

Turning professional in 2023 after contributing to Korea's gold medal win in the Asian Games team competition, he clinched two victories on the Korean PGA Tour in 2024 and was subsequently selected for the LIV Golf League.

Though he couldn't retain his league status this year, he appears to have emerged from the experience even more determined.

“I missed several putts early, and as the wind picked up, I knew it would be challenging for anyone to score low. I focused on staying patient and hanging in there. My shots weren’t flawless, but I adjusted towards the end, which helped me end on a high note,” the twenty-three-year-old said.

He will be paired with Kim and Imahira on Sunday.

With Smyth's name again appearing on the leaderboard, the front-runners will need to stay alert.

Currently positioned second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit after placing third and fifth in the first two events, he also clinched the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit last month. The final day in Chiba is set to be thrilling, with only four shots separating the top twenty-five players on the leaderboard.