Alexander Levy will take a three shot lead into the final round of the 20th Volvo China Open as he pursues a maiden European Tour title.
The 23 year old Frenchman had burst clear with a second round 62 at Genzon Golf Club, and survived a late wobble to add a third round 70.
A 15 foot par putt at the last ensured Levy, whose previous best performance on The European Tour came when he was third at last year’s BMW International Open, finished the day on 16 under par – three ahead of Spain’s Alvaro Quiros.
“My target was to do a good job, like the first two rounds, but it was difficult with the rain coming,” said Levy.
“It was tough to stay focused, but I kept my mind in good condition and played some good shots. I’m happy with my round today.
“I’m going to play good golf and take some pleasure from the golf course, because it’s a very nice course to play. I want to continue to play like I have for the first three rounds and to enjoy the moment.
“I will be nervous, but because you’re nervous doesn’t mean you can’t play well.”
A birdie from five feet at the second briefly took Levy five clear, but he was bunkered off the tee at the short third and failed to get up and down for par.
Quiros, without a top-four finish on The European Tour since recording the last of his six victories in 2011, birdied the fourth then matched Levy’s gain at the long ninth to remain in touch with the leader.
The birdies came thick and fast on the back nine - Quiros holed from 20 feet at the tenth to move within three before Levy responded with a birdie from eight feet at the 11th and then struck his tee shot to six feet at the next for another gain.
He was still only four ahead of Quiros, however, who used his prodigious length off the tee to leave a chip and putt for birdie at the 11th.
Levy dropped shots at the 14th and 16th but holed an important clutch putt at the last and big-hitting Quiros failed to take advantage as he bogeyed the 15th and dropped another shot at the last after a duffed chip to sign for a 68.
Finn Mikko Ilonen signed for a 67 to sit third on 12 under, with England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Spain’s Adrian Otaegui a shot further back.
“It has been a tough day, especially with that finish,” said Quiros. “I have played well with a lot of heart and passion but unfortunately I made three putts on the 15th, I didn’t birdie 17 and then bogeyed the 18th from the middle of the fairway.
“I am three shots back going into the final round but that is nothing in this game. The only thing that I can say is that I am trying with all that I have. Tomorrow I have a chance and that is good to know.
“It depends on a few things and not just me. If Alex plays really well then we might not be able to catch him but it is good to know that I have a chance to be in the top positions because it is a long time since I have won a tournament and you have to consider that too.
“It has been two and a half years since I won so I have not had those feeling for a long time. We will see if I can get them back tomorrow.
“I have been playing well all week and as I said before I have started to putt better and that is the key for me. I have been starting the ball on line which is the positive for me but there is a dark side to my game this week too because I have been missing quite a few easy shots. You saw on the 18th that I am in the middle of the fairway and I manage to miss the green and make bogey which should never have happened; so I have to be careful of that.”
