Tournament leader Naoki Sekita showed the signs of a renewed commitment to the Asian Development Tour today, building on an overnight lead with a three-under-par round of 67 to take top spot into Friday’s final round at the OB Golf Championship.

The young Japanese golfer, winner of the 2019 ADT Order of Merit, posted four birdies with just a single dropped shot to secure a two shot lead over the rest of the field in this US$70,000 ADT event.

China’s Andy Zhang (65) posted the low round of the day with six birdies and a single bogey to secure second spot with Thailand’s Ekpharit Wu (69), who shared the lead after the first day with Sekito at Gunung Geulis on the West Course.

“It was pretty windy in the afternoon and then there were some difficult pin placements,” said Sekito after his round. “I shot six under yesterday, but I’m happy with three under today,” he added.

“I don’t think it’s going to be easy tomorrow. I’m leading by two but on this course it’s very easy to lose two shots so I just want to focus on every shot, try not to make any mistakes,” he said.

Ekpharit Wu of Thailand pictured in action during the second round of the OB Golf Championship at Gunung Geulis West Course on September 28, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

Winner on the Gunung Geulis East Course in 2019, Sekito has decided to forgo next season on the Japan Golf Tour in favour of playing on the ADT and the Asian Tour.

“This is my first time when I haven’t played Japan Tour Q-School but I’m hoping to play more in Asia this year. There are about the same number of tournaments but the prize money is higher in Asia,” he explained.

“I could have been playing on three tours next year if I went to Japan Tour Q-School, like I did in 20-21. Now I want to pick one tour to play, I played well in Vietnam so now I have the chance to get in the top ten so I made the decision to play here.”

Zhang, who is playing in Asia for the first time this year, is also looking to build his career playing with the ADT.

“It was a pretty challenging round today and yesterday with how how hard the wind was blowing,” said Zhang after his round, “but I just really tried to stay patient because I know how “funky” this course can get and how much slope is on the greens.

“It’s my first season playing ADT, my first season ever playing in Asia in general, and I’ve been loving it,” he explained.

“I’m really glad I had the opportunity this year to do this because it’s a consistent schedule to play with pretty high-level competition. I’m making a lot of progress and feel I’m just getting better as each event goes by.”

Thailand’s Vanchai Luangnitikul (69) leads a group in fourth place on five under par, together with Minhyeok Yang (69) of Korea and Australia’s Deyen Lawson (68).

Sarun Sirithon (69) of Thailand sits in solo seventh place, followed by Malaysia’s Ervin Chang (69) and the Thai duo of Nattawat Suvajanakorn (70) and Denwit Boriboonsub (68).

In 11th spot on two under par are Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanphiboonkij (70), Nopparat Panichphol (67) and Thanpisit Omsin (68), alongside Hanbo Lee (69) of South Africa, Justin Quiban (70) of the Philippines and Australia’s Aaron Wilkin (71), winner of the BRG Open Championship in Vietnam last month.

The cut was made after two rounds at +4, leaving 59 players to battle it out for the honours in the final day of the tournament on Friday, with the first groups off the tee at 6.31am