Aaron Cockerill started his round with a trio of birdies and went on to make four more as well as a bogey at the par-4 15th to close with a 64 and a one-shot lead at 13-under heading into the final round.
Currently leading in Japan 🇯🇵@A_Cockerill shoots a 64 (-6) on moving day.#ISPSHandaChampionship pic.twitter.com/9xIQfYnU52
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) April 22, 2023
"Dream start," said the Canadian. "I hit it close the first couple of holes. Made a ten-footer, hit it close for eagle on the fifth and actually missed it.
"But yeah, just an awesome start and just kind of played steady the rest of the way but overall a very good day.
"I feel really good. This is the best I've hit the ball in a long time, and it's required out here with the rough being up, and it's firm.
"Just putting it in the fairway, and everything else has been really solid so I'll look to continue that tomorrow."
Scotland's David Law carded a 64 to move into a share of second place at 12-under alongside Australia's Lucas Herbert who shared the overnight lead and closed with a 68.
"The body feels better," said Law. "I injured my hip and back just after Dubai (in January). I played in Thailand and India and I probably shouldn’t have.
"I wasn’t really fit and ready to go by then, and then I went to South Africa and it still wasn’t quite there.
"I started to do Pilates just after India, that seems to have worked. It takes a bit of pressure off the hip. My back is feeling a bit better, I’m feeling fit."
Second-round co-leader Grant Forrest of Scotland shot a 69 and lies in a share of fourth place at 11-under alongside Japan's Rikuya Hoshino (66) and Takumi Kanaya (67).
Thailand's Jazz Janewattananond, who shared the overnight lead, carded a 70 and is tied in seventh place at 10-under with Spain's Rafa Cabrera Bello (67).
