Kobori, 22, followed up yesterday’s six-under par effort with a five-under round of 66 to be one stroke clear of the chasing pack of overnight leader Scott Arnold, Rosebud local James Marchesani, PGA Tour winner Andre Stolz and 21-year-old amateur Kelsey Bennett.

The bright sunshine and calm morning conditions allowed players to hunt birdies and they duly obliged.

Kobori, who began the day one shot back from playing partner Arnold, took full advantage early with four birdies in the opening seven holes.

Another two birdies and an eagle at the 455m par-5 15th took her to 13-under with a sizable lead.

“On the front nine, I was pretty good. I was pretty happy. I gave myself quite a few chances to make birdie within 15 feet or so,” she said.

“I did have an eagle out there again which is always a bonus. It went pretty smoothly out there so I’m very happy.”

She appeared to be unstoppable at that stage, but a slip up came at the 16th. Her third shot on the 475m par-5 found the green side bunker and she blasted the next shot over the back.

From there, she was unable to get up-and-down and the resulting double bogey halted her momentum.

She made two pars to finish, which she saved with some short game magic as the camera rolled, ensured the lead remained hers.

“I wasn’t even aware that there was filming so that was probably a good thing,” Kobori said with a laugh.

In her playing group, Arnold’s two-under par round was enough to keep him in the hunt, while another powerful pairing went to work on the opposite nine.

It was a showdown of experience and young talent as Andre Stolz, 51, and Bennett shot rounds of 65 and 64 respectively.

Stolz, who has won eleven times in his professional career and has recovered from heart attack suffered five months ago, carded seven birdies, while Bennett incredibly made two eagles along with her five birdies.

“It’s so nice to play with pros. I had Dave (David Brandson) and Stolzy today and yesterday. They’re fantastic. They both had six-under today,” she said.

“So it was really nice to play with other people who are playing just as well.”

To round out the second place pack, James Marchesani made it consecutive five-under par rounds as he played alongside his brother and entertained many of his fellow Rosebud Country Club members.

He was not accepting any bragging rights over his sibling however.

“He’s not playing a heap of golf anymore but it is nice to have him out there,” Marchesani said. 

“We’ve played thousands and thousands of rounds here so it was good to share a couple of rounds with him.

“It was good to see the members out. The local support is great. I’ve been here for 20 years so I’m starting to grow into the carpet now.”

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