Ryan Fox will head into the final round of the Genesis Championship four shots off the lead after all three New Zealanders broke par on Saturday at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.
Fox carded a two-under 69 to reach nine-under and sit tied sixth through 54 holes, keeping himself within striking distance heading into Sunday.
Daniel Hillier matched Fox’s 69 to reach four-under and tied 26th, while Kazuma Kobori posted his second consecutive 70 to sit one-under in a share of 49th.
Fox Remains In The Hunt
Fox has been impressively consistent throughout the week, opening with rounds of 68 and 67 before adding Saturday’s 69.
That leaves the reigning Open champion at nine-under, but Japan’s Yuto Katsuragawa produced the round of the day to create some separation at the top.
Katsuragawa fired a course-record-equalling 63 to reach 13-under, two shots clear of South Africa’s Casey Jarvis.
Fox sits four back alongside Spain’s Jorge Campillo and France’s Martin Couvra.
With five players between him and the lead, the Kiwi will need something special on Sunday, but the tournament remains within reach.
A fast start could quickly apply pressure to those ahead, particularly on a leaderboard that shifted dramatically during Saturday’s third round.
For Fox, the task is clear: turn three days of consistent scoring into one decisive final-round charge.
Hillier Continues Recovery
Hillier followed Friday’s 68 with another round in the 60s, signing for a two-under 69.
After opening the championship with a 72, the Wellington professional has played his past 36 holes in five-under to reach four-under overall.
His position remained around 26th as low scoring elsewhere prevented him from making a significant move up the leaderboard.
Hillier nevertheless has an important final round ahead as he continues his strong finish to the DP World Tour season and his pursuit of PGA Tour membership for 2027.
Another low round on Sunday could help him turn an indifferent opening day into another useful result.
Kobori Moves Into Red Figures
Kobori also continued moving in the right direction.
The Kiwi followed rounds of 72 and 70 with another one-under 70, taking him to one-under for the championship.
Having made the cut by a single stroke, Kobori has now used the weekend to move his tournament total into red figures.
He sits well outside the title conversation, but a strong final round offers an opportunity to climb the leaderboard and finish his Korean campaign positively.
One Round Remaining
All three New Zealanders now head into Sunday with something to chase.
Fox carries the clearest title opportunity, sitting four strokes behind Katsuragawa with 18 holes remaining.
Hillier can strengthen another important week in his late-season PGA Tour card push, while Kobori will look to build on consecutive under-par rounds.
Saturday belonged to Japan’s Katsuragawa at the top of the leaderboard.
But with Fox still within four, New Zealand remains very much part of the final-round conversation.
