Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship Rd 3: What They Said

Kobe, Japan, September 28: Read what players have to say following the penultimate round of the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship on Saturday.

Toshinori Muto (Jpn) – Third round 64 (-7), Total 199 (-14)

I started off really well. I had some chances on the back nine as well but couldn’t convert. I won’t complain with the score today. I made a good par on the 17th hole. I was too aggressive on the sixth, left myself a long putt to make and ended up three-putting for bogey.

I was trying for an eagle on the last. I hit a good stroke but didn’t make the putt. I a still satisfied with birdie. I want to play like this again tomorrow. If I can do that, I will have a good chance. Unless someone came up and shoot like a nine-under.

My tee shots have been good and my putting too. I just need to make sure I read the correct lines on the greens. I will try to play cautiously but confidently tomorrow. My daughter came to cheer me on today. It was good motivation.

I am glad I was able to play my ‘A’ game today. I am looking forward to the final test tomorrow. I have to try harder. I am only leading by one shot but it’s better than nothing. I will try not to think about the score and about the win. I just want to keep making birdies. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.

Shugo Imahira (Jpn) – Third round 66 (-5), Total 200 (-13)

I hit a perfect second shot. I was riding on a good momentum out there. I was hoping to birdie the last hole but to get that eagle was great. I bogeyed the first but made a good birdie right after. That calmed me down. My shots were pretty good all week and I putted well today.

I am looking forward to play in the final group tomorrow and to put myself in a good position and give myself a chance to win tomorrow. I have struggled in the final rounds recently so I will need to make a lot of birdies tomorrow to have a chance.

I will try not to think about winning. Just keep playing my game. The aim is to shoot my best round this week tomorrow. If I can play my own game, I will have a chance.

 Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) – Third round 66 (-5), Total 201 (-12)

I started off really shaky today and managed to get it back again. I had some lucky shots out there. I made a couple of long putts. I probably had two long putts that I wouldn’t make usually, but they came at the right time. I would say the birdie on 10 got my round going.

I couldn’t hit anything to the green. I kept missing greens. Couldn’t give myself a chance out there. But after the front nine, I kind of figured out what I needed to do and then I kind of fixed it, so we’ll see what happens tomorrow.

Miguel Carballo (Arg) – Third round 66 (-5), Total 201 (-12)

I played very well today. It was a perfect day. I gave myself a lot of opportunities to make birdies. The wind was swirling on the last, I had like 86 yards to the pin and I hit to the edge of the green. Had an uphill putt about five yards from there and made it. It was a good finish.

I had a good chip-in for par today as well. It was pretty similar to the last two rounds, just that the winds were picking on the last three holes. But the course is still in a good condition. I thought it was important for me to play under-par today because it will put me in a good position for tomorrow. I managed to do that.

My game is feeling good. I feel very confident right now. This is a difficult course. You can’t really hit it into the rough. I putted well today. Didn’t play my driver well on a few holes but overall, it was alright because I still got a good position in the rough.

It’s my first time in Japan. I am loving it here. The course condition is perfect. I really enjoy playing here. This is my second year playing on the Asian Tour. I have played four years on the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA TOUR before. I have also played in Europe as well.

I think I have played on eight different Tours throughout my career. Those were great experiences for me. But I feel it’s the same everywhere, it’s just you playing against the course. If your game is good, it doesn’t matter where you are. You worked hard everywhere you are.

I just want to stay relaxed for tomorrow. The goal is to try and play under-par. But the most important thing is to stay focused and not think about the results.