BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
GOLF star Scott Vincent is determined to make the most of his brilliant run of good form after moving into contention for a second victory on the Japan Golf Tour in just three starts after moving into contention at the ANA Open yesterday.
The 29-year-old Zimbabwean Olympian ended a year long wait for a win on the Japan-based circuit with victory at the Sansan KBC Augusta on Japan 29.
Vincent, who now has two international wins after his maiden title on Japan’s developmental Abema TV Tour circuit followed up the Sansan KBC Augusta win by finishing in a tie for eighth position at last week’s Fujisankei Classic.
He could now register his second win in three starts after he followed a scintillating second round nine-under-par 63 with a 69 in yesterday’s third round at the Sapporo Golf Club to sit three shots behind the leader ahead of today’s Tomoharu Otsuki who leads on 15-under par.
Vincent had resumed the third round in a tie for the lead with his close friend and Jbe Kruger from South Africa on nine-under par for the tournament.
While Kruger, a two-time winner of the Zimbabwe Open found the going tough on moving day after carding a three-over par round of 75, Vincent stayed in contention following another solid display.
After a bogey free 63 on Friday which featured an incredible nine birdies, Vincent dropped just one shot yesterday while making four birdies for a three round total of 12-under par to give himself a very good opportunity to challenge for the victory in today’s final round.
Another win for Vincent today could see him moving closer to the top of the Japan Golf Tour Order of Merit Standings and a place inside the top 100 on the official world golf rankings.
Vincent is currently ranked seventh on the Japanese Golf Tour Order of Merit standings and 161 on the world rankings after he captured his first ever win a fortnight ago.