Red-hot Ishikawa blazes into lead

IRUMA, Saitama Pref. (Kyodo) Teenage star Ryo Ishikawa fired a sizzling 7-under-par 65 to roar into the lead after the third round of the Japan Open on Saturday.

Ishikawa carded seven birdies with no bogeys en route to a course record score and a one-stroke lead over Yasuharu Imano at 5-under 211 at Musashi Country Club.

A day after struggling to a 76 and dropping into 38th place, the 18-year-old got back on track in his bid to become the youngest winner of the coveted title.

The money rankings leader birdied the first hole and picked up three more shots on the front nine, including a super effort on the par-5 sixth, before nailing birdies on Nos. 10, 14 and 18.

"I was able to make a good balance with my drives, irons and putter today," Ishikawa said. "I was definitely fired up. It's an unexpected score."