Takumi Kanaya (Jap) shot a third round five under par 67 to take a one shot lead after the third round of the $2 million International Series – Oman on the Asian Tour.

The 24 year-old, former World Amateur Number One had six birdies and one bogey in his round over the Greg Norman designed Al Mouj Golf layout.

Chasing the leader is fellow countryman Ryo Hisatsune (Jap) who matched Kanaya’s five under par round, playing in the same group.

In third place is Sadom Kaewkanjana (Thai) three back of the leader on 210 with his second 67 of the week.

A shot further back is the marquee pairing of Sergio Garcia (Spain) and Joaquin Niemann (Chile).

Round of the week so far was a 64 by Hennie du Plessis (RSA), one short of the course record, who moved up from the cut mark at 150 after 36 holes and tied 64th, to tied 12th with a round containing six birdies and an eagle and two nines of 32. In a week of contrasts and varying wind levels, 18 players broke 70 in round three, compared with none from the field in round two.

Dubai based Shiv Kapur (Ind) shot a third round level par 72 to be two over par for 54 holes and in tied 31st place. His opening two rounds were 72 and 74.

Shiv said on completing his round, ‘It was the kindest wind day of the week so far. I had the steadiest of days with 16 pars, one bogey and a solitary bogey. It was just one of those days, I played my best round of the week today hitting all 14 fairways. I just did not play the par 5’s well. I had no birdies on these scoring holes, and probably gave a couple of shots away to the field on these holes. I am looking forward to finishing strongly tomorrow (Sunday).’

Shiv’s final round tee time is at 9.12 am off tee one alongside S.S.P Chawrasia (Ind) and Matt Killen (Eng), both on two over, with the leaders out last at 11.02 am with the group of Kanaya, Hisatsune and Kaewkanjana.

Round four live TV golf coverage from the Asian Tour in Oman can be watched tomorrow (Sunday) on Dubai Sports Channel: 1 pm – 5 pm.

Third round leaders (Par 72, 7,438 Yards)T. Kanaya (Japan) 69, 71, 67 = 207R. Hisatsune (Japan) 71, 70, 67 = 208S. Kaewkanjana (Thai) 67, 76, 67 = 210S. Garcia (Spain) 67, 76, 68 = 211J. Niemann (Chile) 72, 70, 69 = 211