Lucas Herbert produced one of the most electrifying finishes on the Asian Tour this season, storming back with consecutive eagles on the 16th and 18th holes to grab a share of the lead after Round 3 of the US$2 million International Series Japan presented by Moutai. The LIV Golf standout, who began the day with a one-shot lead, was five strokes back with three holes to play before mounting his epic comeback at Caledonian Golf Club in Chiba.

Herbert’s eagle on the drivable par-4 16th came after a laser tee shot onto the green and a 21-foot putt conversion. He followed it up by reaching the par-5 18th in two from 188 yards and sank a 10-foot putt for another eagle, capping a 2-under-par 69 round and tying Japan’s Yuta Sugiura and Korea’s Younghan Song at 13-under.

Sugiura Slips Late After Eagle High Point
Yuta Sugiura also reached 13-under despite a frustrating bogey on the 18th hole. The 24-year-old Japanese star had earlier thrilled the crowd with an eagle on the 345-yard 16th, driving the green and sinking a six-foot putt. But a poor wedge over the 18th green led to a bogey that erased his chance at a solo lead.

The rising talent has already claimed high-profile wins on home soil, including the 2023 Dunlop Phoenix Open as an amateur and last year’s Japan PGA Championship. With a closing-round 66 on Saturday, Sugiura will now look to capture his first Asian Tour title in front of a home crowd.

Song Steadies Late to Join the Leaders
Veteran Younghan Song of Korea birdied the 18th to join the tie at the top. Song, whose biggest career win came at the 2016 SMBC Singapore Open over then world No. 1 Jordan Spieth, stayed mentally strong despite a few rough patches mid-round. His 68 puts him in prime position to contend for his first victory on Japanese soil.

Song praised his putting and mental approach, saying, “I changed my mindset and played accordingly. I want to showcase my full potential and have a good round.”

Horsfield Makes a Charge, But Falls Short
England’s Sam Horsfield posted the round of the day with an eight-under-par 63 to finish at 12-under. He was nine-under through 16 but faltered with a bogey from the bunker on the 17th and missed a birdie putt on 18 that would have put him in the lead.

Chasing Pack Sets Up Final-Round Drama
Australia’s Travis Smyth and Guatemala’s Jose Toledo both carded 68s to sit tied for fifth at 10-under, keeping them within striking distance of the leaders.

Herbert, who last won internationally in 2023 at the ISPS Handa Championship in Japan, said, “Golf is a funny game like that. You can turn around a very frustrating day and make it pretty productive.” He added that a five-under round on Sunday could be enough to clinch the title.