Gaganjeet Bhullar, SSP Chawrasia Trail as Lucas Herbert Charges Into Lead at International Series Japan
Chiba (Japan), May 10 — Indian golfers Gaganjeet Bhullar and SSP Chawrasia delivered steady but unspectacular performances in the third round of the USD 2 million International Series Japan, slipping to tied-43rd and tied-62nd respectively.At the Caledonian Golf Club in Chiba, Bhullar carded an even-par 71 to maintain a total of two-under after 54 holes. The seasoned 11-time Asian Tour winner had a round that included three birdies, one bogey, and a double bogey.
Chawrasia, a six-time Asian Tour titleholder with four of those victories also counting on the DP World Tour, returned a 1-over 72. His third-round effort featured three birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey, taking him to one-over for the tournament.
The other five Indian golfers in the field failed to make the cut.
Lucas Herbert's Stunning Comeback
Australian Lucas Herbert stole the spotlight with a dramatic late surge, finishing eagle-eagle on the 16th and 18th holes to tie for the lead at 13-under alongside Japan’s Yuta Sugiura and Korea’s Younghan Song.Herbert, who led the tournament by one shot at the start of the day, found himself five strokes off the pace with just three holes to play. But a scintillating drive to the green on the par-four 16th followed by a 21-foot putt for eagle reignited his round.
He then capped it off with a brilliant second shot from 188 yards on the par-five 18th, landing it 10 feet from the pin and converting for another eagle, ending with a two-under 69 for the day.
Meanwhile, Sugiura dazzled with an eagle of his own on the 345-yard 16th after driving to within six feet, but a bogey on the final hole pulled him back into a tie at the top. He shot a 66 for the round.
Korea’s Younghan Song quietly stayed in the mix with a solid 68, ensuring a thrilling final day ahead with three players locked at 13-under.
Leaderboard After Round 3
- T-1. Lucas Herbert: 69 (-13)
- T-1. Yuta Sugiura: 66 (-13)
- T-1. Younghan Song: 68 (-13)
- T-43. Gaganjeet Bhullar: 71 (-2)
- T-62. SSP Chawrasia: 72 (+1)