Tom McKibbin will carry a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Hong Kong Open after a five-under par 65 on Saturday.
The Down golfer, who is seeking to secure a place at next year's Masters and Open Championship after joining the breakaway LIV Tour, opened with a blistering round of 60 on Thursday, following it with a more sedate round of 65 on Friday to lead by two strokes on 15-under at the halfway point.
In his third round, he dropped his first stroke of the week with a bogey at short second hole but bounced back with three birdies in his next four holes, adding a fourth at the ninth.
A birdie at the par-3 12th brought him to 19-under before a second bogey at the 15th. However, once again he answered that with back-to-back birdies, these coming at 16 and 17, to reach 20-under par heading into Sunday.
"It was pretty good overall," McKibbin said afterwards. "I felt the course was playing a little tougher - the pins seemed harder but I played some very nice golf. I holed a few good putts, and everything felt solid.
"I think everyone came here knowing those spots are available, but for me, finishing second or third doesn't make a big difference. I went into the week with the mindset of giving it a good go, and that’s what I’ll try to do."
His advantage has been cut in half, with America's MJ Maguire - currently ranked world no. 482 - carding a superb 61 to reach 19-under.
One stroke further back is McKibbin's playing partner Peter Uihlein on 18-under, with Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Scott Hend tied on 17-under.
2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen and Charles Howell II are in tied-sixth on 16-under par.
