Damien McGrane shot a third round of 68 to claim a three-stroke lead at the China Open.
Irishman well placed to press for maiden Tour win
Damien McGrane shot a third round of 68 to claim a three-stroke lead at the China Open.
The Irishman's four-under-par round put him on 11-under for the tournament, two ahead of Michael Lorenzo-Vera and Oliver Wilson.
McGrane's round was an adventurous affair that featured seven birdies, including a run of three in a row from the third, but also three bogeys.
His early good work was partially undone by successive bogeys at the sixth and seventh before further shots were picked up at the 10th and 11th.
And - following a bogey at the 16th - McGrane finished in style with consecutive birdies to ensure he heads into Sunday's final round with a healthy advantage as he attempts to claim his maiden European Tour victory.
"I made the most of my opportunites again today," said McGrane.
"I made a good finish with two birdies and that was the highlight of my day. I hung in there when I needed to and played some good shots."
Chasing pack
French rookie Lorenza-Vera, the leader after both the first and second rounds, could only manage a level-par 72 to tread water at eight-under-par.
Alongside him is Englishman Wilson, who managed a two-under 70, while Australia's Scott Strange is alone in fourth on six-under-par after a best-of-the-day 66.
Strange needed just 32 shots on the inward half of his bogey-free effort, including four birdies in his final five holes.
"It was a good round today," he said. "It is always nice to birdie the last but there were a few holes on the back nine which I was really lucky to pull off birdies."
New Zealander Mark Brown (69) is a stroke further back on five-under, one ahead of defending champion Markus Brier (72), Jason Knutzon (72) and Fabrizio Zanotti (70).
