Jeev Milkha Singh [Images] continued to have problems on the back stretch of the Otaru Country Golf Course as he returned a card of two-over 74 in the third round to slip from overnight tied third to tied eighth in the Sun Chlorella Classic golf tournament.

The lead is held by Tetsuji Hiratsuka of Japan [Images], who carded a four-under 68 and moved to six-under on a tough course in hot conditions. He was one clear of Hideto Tanihara (67) and Mitsuhiro Tateyama (71).

The 34-year-old Chandigarh golfer, playing in the lead group with overnight leaders Tateyama and Masaya Tomido (76), started the day at three-under.

He opened with a birdie but gave it back on the third before going through the next 12 holes with pars.

However, Jeev faltered on the 16th, which has been his nemesis this week. He double bogeyed the hole and with his confidence disturbed, dropped another stroke on 17th, just as he had on the first day. He is now four-over for the 16th in three days.

"That hole has been a lot of trouble for me," aid Jeev.

"Hopefully I will be able to make up on the final day. With conditions quite tough, I can still make up with a good round."

The Indian stands at one-under for three days, tied eighth with seven others.