Li Haotong found himself in possession of a one-shot lead as he reached the turn on day four of the inaugural Saudi International powered by SBIA after closing his front nine with the unlikeliest of birdies.
There was nothing to separate overnight co-leaders Dustin Johnson and Li in the early stages on Sunday, with both players making one birdie in their opening eight holes to get to 17 under par.
But after getting into trouble off the ninth tee, Li recovered by holing his approach from high above the green to jump to 18 under and open up a one-shot lead over playing partner Johnson.
Englishman Tom Lewis was alone in third on 15 under after opening his final round with five straight birdies.
World Number Three Johnson drew first blood in his fourth-round battle with Li, holing his six-foot birdie putt to pick up a shot at the second for the fourth day in a row.
Li hit back, knocking in from close range at the long fourth before taking the lead with a surprise birdie on the ninth.
