Defending champion Adam Scott of Australia and South Africa's Ernie Els set up a final round shootout for the Singapore Open title after the pair surged clear of the field in the weather-affected third round on Saturday.
Scott stepped up his campaign for a first victory since his seven-stroke triumph here a year ago with a brilliant five-under par 66, to stand alongside Els on eight under for the tournament.
The pair are three strokes ahead of Australia's Brad Kennedy and a further shot in front of Chinese prospect Liang Wen-chong, who registered a three-under 68 to claim sole possession of fourth place.
Starting the day three strokes adrift of Els, the 26-year-old Scott registered five birdies in his flawless round and was the only player without a dropped shot on his card.
Despite suffering a bout of food poisoning, Els maintained his bid for a first victory since last December's Dunhill Masters with a two-under par 69 that included four birdies and two bogeys.
Having to contend with deep rough, narrow fairways and the most difficult pin positions of the week, the players were also forced off the course for more than two hours in the mid-afternoon because of the threat of lightning.
The conditions proved too tough for a majority of the field at the $3 million Asian Tour flagship event, with only seven players finishing the day under par after 56 holes.
India's Shiv Kapur (two-under), Anthony Kang of the US and Thailand's Prom Meesawat (both one under) were the only other players heading into the final round below par for the tournament.
European Ryder Cup player Lee Westwood is on even par for the tournament but the Englishman appears too far adrift to improve on last year's runner-up finish.
