Haotong Li carded a stunning 63 to open up a three-shot lead over defending champion Justin Rose and Alexander Levy heading into the final round of the Turkish Airlines Open.
The Chinese started the day at the sixth Rolex Series event of the season three shots behind overnight leader Rose but turned that deficit on its head as the World No 2 battled to a 69 at Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort.
Frenchman Levy was bogey-free as he carded a hugely impressive 66 to sit a shot clear of 2016 champion Thorbjorn Olesen and two ahead of English pair Sam Horsfield and Danny Willett.
Li – who held off the challenge of Rory McIlroy to win the Dubai Desert Classic earlier in the season – would become the first Asian player to win a Rolex Series event should he claim European Tour title No 3 on Sunday.
‘I really want to win this week and play my best tomorrow,’ he said. ‘Especially at a Rolex Series event. It’s going to be an exciting day tomorrow and I’m looking forward to going against Rosey.
‘I definitely got a lot of confidence from Dubai and since then I’ve been playing a lot of big events which has built my confidence.’
Rose would move back to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking with a victory while Levy – who already has a win this season at the Trophee Hassan II – is looking for his sixth European Tour title.
Thomas Aiken, playing remarkably well considering he is dealing with a stomach issue that required a fourth injection shortly before he got his day started, is the best-placed South African on -11 after a Saturday 66 that included six birdies and a solitary bogey.
Countryman Darren Fichardt bogeyed the last and is two back of Aiken’s mark.
‘It was a disappointing finish especially since I was trying to play safe and stay well clear of the water. And three bogeys today was unacceptable. I made some silly mistakes. But, having said that, I think I found something in my swing out there so I’m hyped up for tomorrow,’ said Fichardt.
One stroke behind the Centurion local is Dean Burmester after a 68.
